Play at the heart of learning
The Play Pedagogy Award, developed by Play Scotland working closely with Education Scotland, offers a structured and supportive way for Scottish primary schools to embed play pedagogy as a whole-school approach.
Rooted in national guidance, including Curriculum for Excellence,
How Good is Our School?, Realising the Ambition, and Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), the Award also reflects the priorities set out in Scotland’s Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025–2030.
It supports schools to put children’s right to play at the centre of learning, ensuring all children can thrive, no matter their background or stage. This also reflects Scotland’s commitment to upholding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which recognises play as a fundamental right under Article 31.
What is the Play Pedagogy Award?
This is your school’s own unique play pedagogy journey. The Award framework is flexible, responsive and recognises that no two schools will look the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your school’s values, vision, learners and community shape the way you embed play pedagogy.
The Award is a three-phase improvement journey that supports schools to reflect, plan, embed and celebrate play pedagogy. It promotes sustainable change across five interconnected strands:
- Leadership
- Pedagogy & Curriculum
- Learning Environment (both outdoors and indoors)
- Community
- Professional Learning
It’s designed to be practical and adaptable, supporting schools at every stage of their journey, whether just getting started or looking to deepen and celebrate existing practice. While we provide a wide range of tools and templates to support the process such as environmental evaluations, and autonomy scales, we’re equally happy for schools to use evidence and documentation they already collect.
The Award isn’t about creating extra work; it’s about supporting schools to embed a play pedagogy approach successfully across the school and to collect meaningful evidence that shows progression throughout the Award journey.
What will your school gain?
Taking part in the Play Pedagogy Award gives your school:
- A comprehensive Play Pedagogy Award handbook, with guidance, templates and examples
- Access to ready-to-use observation and evaluation tools such as our Learner Autonomy Spectrum, Environment Evaluations, and Pupil Skills tools
- Personalised support and mentoring from a dedicated Play Pedagogy Award advisor
- Opportunities to connect and share practice with other schools across Scotland
- Resources to support professional learning and reflective dialogue
- A clear framework for integrating play pedagogy into school improvement planning
- National recognition and accreditation through a certificate, banner, and celebratory showcase
- A chance to influence the wider conversation around play pedagogy through Play Scotland’s networks
A Vision Alligned Approach
The Award supports the ambitions of the Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025–2030, which calls for play to be “welcomed, celebrated and nurtured” across every part of children’s lives, including in schools.
By focusing on practitioners, place, and parents, the Award enables schools to align with national priorities and contribute to a Scotland where every child has access to rich, inclusive play experiences.
“I can play at nursery or school. It helps me learn new things. Teachers let us play as part of our learning to work out new ideas.” – Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030 Children’s Version
The Award Journey
- Plan – Start with a whole-school self-evaluation, map existing strengths and identify next steps across the five strands.
- Play – Put your plan into action, embedding play pedagogy and gathering evidence of change, impact and voice.
- Present – Share your journey, celebrate your progress, and be recognised as a Play Pedagogy Award school.
Cost and Accessibility
As a charitable organisation, we do charge a fee to cover the cost of materials, personalised support, and assessment. The Award is a one-off cost of £950 per school, which includes all resources, mentoring, and final accreditation. To make the Award as accessible as possible, we offer instalment options, and we’re always happy to chat about what works best for your school.
See What’s Possible
The Award has already supported schools to reimagine what learning can look like when play is truly embedded across all stages.
Take a look at what Baltasound Junior High School achieved through their Play Pedagogy Award journey:
A Viking Visit with a Playful Twist – Up Helly Aa in Baltasound
Their story captures what happens when schools give children space to lead, imagine, collaborate and learn through play.
Read about Eyemouth Primary and their Play Pedagogy Journey
Eyemouth Primary – Where Play Lives at the Heart of the Community
Ready to join the movement?
The Play Pedagogy Award is about much more than ticking boxes, it’s about building a culture where play is seen as essential to learning, wellbeing and development.
To learn more or register your school, contact our Play Pedagogy Officer: fionakirkland@playscotland.org
Let’s work together to shape a future where play is part of every child’s school experience – every day, in every classroom.
Share:
