Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the role of play‑based pedagogy in levels of attainment and supporting pupil wellbeing across the primary curriculum.

The ‘Early years foundation stage’ statutory framework is clear that play is essential for children’s development, health and wellbeing. Play builds confidence and enthusiasm for learning, helps children to learn to set goals and solve problems, and develop key self-awareness, self-regulation and social skills.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review considered whether the curriculum met the needs of pupils. No assessment has been made of the role of play-based pedagogy in levels of attainment and supporting pupil wellbeing across the primary curriculum. The national curriculum provides a broad framework which gives schools flexibility to organise the content and delivery of the curriculum to meet the needs of their pupils.

The department is working to make sure that all children and young people have access to a variety of enrichment opportunities at school, as an important part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity. For some schools, these opportunities may be used to encourage play. We recognise the value of these experiences in supporting children’s wellbeing and development, helping to build their confidence and communication skills.

A new Enrichment Framework will be published in the coming months. The framework will support schools in developing their enrichment offer by identifying and reflecting effective practice, and will provide advice on how to plan a high quality enrichment offer more intentionally and strategically.