Does anyone know what those people who play games in the playground are called? Anyone got one at their sch? What do they do?

[jollyholly]

DD's go to a very small school, just over 50 pupils. But the atmosphere at the moment is not very good - a girl left to go to another school last week, today a brother and sister were visiting another school, and I've seriously considered taking my dd's out - all for the same reason - they feel that they haven't got any friends. I suppose it's a problem in small schools, for example, my dd's in year 3 and there are only 2 other girls in her year. 3's never a good numebr with girls, but she really doesn't have anything in common with them and feels like she has no friends.

I've heard about fabulous people who go into schools at playtimes, and lead games so that no-one feels left out. Do they have an official title? Anyone find any links? We're going back to see the Head soon to discuss dd's and I'm wondering whether to suggest she looks into it...?

Thanks

They have them at DS' school - so they say but he never mentions them!! It was one of the things that drew us to the school as at his last one they all just went bonkers at play time and ran around pushing and shoving.

Qualified Play Leaders? Not sure to be honest what their title is - will try and dig out the prospectus!

play rangers!

Some of our dinner ladies have done a playleaders' course, but it was pretty expensive iirc & might be out of reach for a school as small as yours. There may be voluntary groups in your area that do something like this.

One thing that is done at our school is the 'Playground friends' scheme, where the Year 6 children volunteer to look after the younger ones who may be feeling left out at lunchtime & teach them games - for example the yeasr 6s might be turning a big skipping rope for the little ones to jump, sometimes it's just helping them organise a game of their own without arguing, sometimes they bring out equipment for a 'game of the week' - it might be hoops one week, beanbag games the next.

Again, the small numbers at your school might cause problems, but it might be worth mentioning to the head.

Oh and the Playground friends wear special caps & sashes, which shows the younger ones where to 'find a friend' & makes the older ones feel a little more 'official', which encourages them to volunteer.

contact the play department at your local coundil they may have staff that they could send in. some train up older children to act as playleaders

Our county council have a scheme where the behaviour team/primary prevention team (!) come in to train up play leaders. Ask the senco/head to get in contact with them to start the ball rolling - it's seriously good stuff!

children?

thank you everyone, I'll get googling.

Cheeseandsproutsarnie - ha

i know-im sooo funny