In a time of mounting stress, reduced social interaction, and increasing screen time, schools are facing a quiet crisis: the decline of play.
In this compelling roundtable conversation, four leading education and wellbeing experts come together to talk about why play is essential, not optional, for children’s mental health, development, and learning.
Meet the Panel
- Maria Brosnan – Founder of Pursuit Wellbeing , host of the conversation
- Thérèse Hoyle – Founder of Positive Playtimes , play consultant and trainer
- Rich Head – Director at Motional.io,
- Vanessa McHardy – Director of Light Education Training and psychotherapist
Together, they explore a critical question:
What happens when we stop prioritising play - and what can schools do to bring it back?
Watch a clip here:
This isn’t just theory - it’s a call to action.
Here’s what you can do:
✅ Audit your playground
Who’s playing, who’s not, and why? Football dominance and lack of quiet zones may be excluding children, especially girls and neurodivergent pupils.
✅ Train your lunchtime staff
Undertrained staff often feel unequipped to support play. Thérèse Hoyle’s Positive Playtime Academy gives supervisors the confidence and tools they need.
✅ Make space for joy
Whether it’s longer playtimes, creative zones, or integrating movement into lessons, schools need to intentionally carve out time for unstructured play.
✅ Measure what matters
With Motional’s tools, schools can track the impact of wellbeing initiatives like improved play, and demonstrate the benefits on learning and emotional development.
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🧠 Final Thoughts: Play Is the Work of Childhood
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old—we grow old because we stop playing.”
This conversation is a reminder that joy, creativity, and connection are not “extras” - they are essential parts of a thriving school environment. And play is how we get there.
Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or wellbeing lead, this conversation will inspire you to look at your playground, your pupils, and even your staffroom in a little different light.
🎥 Watch the full discussion
During the session, we discuss Thérèse's latest policy document. Find it here:
Why Play Matters - PDF by Thérèse Hoyle (PDF)and The Play Commission Report – Everything to Play For: A National Wake-Up Call on Play. Find it here:
Everything to Play For — Raising the Nation Play Commission.pdf (PDF)