Primary Schools - In the Zone
Since the launch of ‘In The Zone’ in April 2005. Primary Schools in local Authorities across Wales have benefited from support and training designed to enable them to better utilise their playground at lunchtime.
Between Autumn 2008 - Autumn 2009 over 700 members of staff from schools have attended 'In The Zone' training courses. Feedback identified that ‘In The Zone’ has been particularly beneficial to schools whose yards are small and uninspiring. One such school has adopted the scheme wholeheartedly. The school had issues with one sport dominating the yard and with a high number of accidents and injuries during playtimes. Since introducing ‘In The Zone’ the daily total for accidents has decreased from between 15 and 20 per day to just one or two. The head attributes this to the improved structure of the yard and the greater variety of activities available to the children. The school has also introduced a rota for big team games such as football, which have a tendency to dominate the yard and intimidate younger pupils. The school has created a ‘Team Zone’ where pupils can play different games on allocated days. The school also enforces a ‘no football’ day that encourages pupils to try different games in different zones.
Staff and supervisors have seen a noticeable difference in pupil behaviour during playtime and in lessons with concentration levels also improving in afternoon lessons.
Case Studies
