In this critical response to Voce and Sturrock, Dr Pete KIng, highlighting a project from 2008, and his own study of it, suggests their proposals are nothing new, and that a greater emphasis is needed on the role of evidence-based research in developing playwork. The recent paper by Voce and Sturrock (2018) offers five recommendation … Continue reading ‘A situated ethos of playwork’ – a response from 2008
Colleagues, community and commons – our vital triumverate
In this critique of Voce and Sturrock's A Situated Ethos of Playwork, Simon Rix suggests that community should be integral to playwork practice, and the central focus of the field's fightback. Thanks are due to Gordon Sturrock and and Adrian Voce for their recent paper, A Situated Ethos of Playwork. It rightly acknowledges that the internal … Continue reading Colleagues, community and commons – our vital triumverate
A manifesto for play – a policy development event
10am – 3pm, Thursday 12 July 2018. Shiremoor Adventure Playground, Brenkley Ave, Shiremoor, North Tyneside NE27 0PR. Free event – all welcome! Hosted by Shiremoor Adventure Playground, this play policy forum is a unique opportunity for everyone in the north east and beyond to come together to discuss the issues – both nationally and locally – for … Continue reading A manifesto for play – a policy development event
Marshmallow education
Baseline tests for 4 year-olds, designed to assess their capacity for self-regulation as a predictor of future performance, are not only culturally biased and discriminatory against poorer children, says Gordon Sturrock: they are also part of a regime that is denying the vital importance of children's play – and their human right for that to … Continue reading Marshmallow education
Describing (and not describing) playwork
A response to the review of the National Occupational Standards for Playwork Shelly Newstead In October 2015, Shelly Newstead posted her response to a review of the National Occupational Standards, raising some fundamental questions about how playwork is defined and described. With kind permission, we are making her response available here, believing these questions to … Continue reading Describing (and not describing) playwork
A situated ethos of playwork
Turning the playwork story into a narrative for change. In this new collaboration, Adrian Voce and Gordon Sturrock cast their collective eye over the recent history of playwork in the UK to draw out some lessons for the field on how it might regroup and take a leading role in making the case for a comprehensive … Continue reading A situated ethos of playwork
Policy roadshow announced to build a new manifesto for play
The Playwork Foundation and Play England have announced a series of joint events over the coming months, to consult the play and playwork fields in England on a new 'manifesto for play’ ahead of the next general election. Forums will take place across the country to: • consult with the play sector and develop key … Continue reading Policy roadshow announced to build a new manifesto for play
A NEW MANIFESTO FOR PLAY
A play policy development event in Bristol Monday 4 June 2018 10:00 – 15:00 Bristol Town Hall College Green Bristol BS1 5TR Hosted by Bristol City Council and Bristol Play Network, this event is part of a roadshow of discussion forums organised by Play England and the Playwork Foundation taking place across the country to … Continue reading A NEW MANIFESTO FOR PLAY
Playwork Foundation awarded registered charity status
The Playwork Foundation has been awarded registered charity status by the Charity Commission. Trustees of the new charity, which launched as a membership body in November 2017, said that its registration now completes the first stage of a long-term project to create a new vehicle that can make the case for playwork services, help develop … Continue reading Playwork Foundation awarded registered charity status
Introducing ARTPAD
Playwork Partnerships and the Drama Department of the University of Gloucestershire have been working for the past year on developing ARTPAD (Achieving Resilience Through Play and Drama) – a training course for teachers, youth workers and playworkers that explores how to use drama techniques and understand children’s play in order to support the development of … Continue reading Introducing ARTPAD