St. Angela’s Primary School

Risk benefit analysis for the free play with natural materials site

Post installation RBA
May 2013 / Free play area using natural materials / RBA by HT in consultation with staff / Review Date: December 2013

Value-based, risk-benefit assessment

Benefits / Comments
  • Encourages inclusive play
  • Stimulates imagination and creative play
  • Promotes outdoor / active learning.
  • Develops relationships.
  • Builds confidence.
  • Develops coordination and motor skills.
  • Appreciation of the natural environment.
  • Develops problem solving.
  • Develops oral skills.
  • Opportunities for enhancing the curriculum.
  • Contextualises the learning.
  • Interdisciplinary learning.
  • Den building provides opportunities to create individual spaces
  • The children become more active – they explore and investigate.
  • Increases self awareness and ability to manage risk in a real life environment.
  • Promotes responsibility.
/ This Risk benefit Assessment was created following the delivery of natural play resources in May 2013; supported by a member of staff from Grounds for Learning.
All classes and members of staff instructed on the safe use of the play materials and their safe handling. All stages had opportunity to have time to experiment with resources. These sessions were led by Matt Robinson from Grounds for Learning. PSA’stake responsibility for the safe management of the area during free play sessions.
All staff reported that they were amazed at how creative the children were with the materials and how much dialogue and interaction there was between the children. The staff reported that the children were aware of how to carry specific materials and where the boundaries were.
Risks / Comments
  • Slippery log surface. Falling off logs.
  • Splinters / scrapes
  • Overcrowding when collecting loose materials such as branches
  • Older children and younger children playing together
  • Slippery grassy area during wet periods
  • Throwing of materials
  • Movement of heavier pieces
  • Trip hazards
  • Inappropriate handling of materials
  • Weather factors
/ No child allowed to access any material until adult supervision is present.
Adult will check identified pieces daily
Children have been very aware of slip risks, trip hazards, weather issues due to experience gained during Outdoor Learning Day.
Children have been used to mixed social and play interaction.
At the start of each session children will be reminded about
  • safe handling
  • No throwing
  • Safe distance from each other
  • With the right to play comes the responsibility to be careful
Everyone who plays is responsible for putting pieces away safely
Options for managing risk / Comments
  • Involvement of all staff (both teaching and non teaching) in the development of this risk benefit assessment.
  • Feedback to parents and the wider community about the value of natural play and the development of appropriate policies and risk benefit measures created in relation to the new resources - through school assemblies, newsletters etc.
  • Creation of a play policy that will be shared with children and parents.
  • Create playground behaviour rules involving, and agreed by, the children and share regularly with all children.
  • Involve the children in identifying the risks associated with the new features and encourage responsible play, the reporting of outdoor incidences to a playground supervisor and in identifying any broken or damaged resources to the playground supervisor
  • Dangerous / inappropriate behaviour outside will result in a temporary ban from playing in / on the associated feature.
  • Rota / timetable for daily use of area to stop overcrowding and to enhance the play experience. This will become open play as novelty wear off
  • Area to be off limits at the start and end of every day.
/ Provided the opportunity for positive discussion and an agreed way forward.
Parents comments to be sought and collated.
Organisation of events outside in the grounds.
Increased use of grounds in relation to outdoor learning across the curriculum – and sharing outcomes with parents.
Encourages children to look out for each other, to play responsibly and to look after the resources in their school grounds.
Promotes responsibility and shared enjoyment.
Increase self awareness and ability to manage risk, but will need to be supported and monitored by staff.
Risk benefit judgement / Comments
Based on the process of weighing up the identified risks versus the benefits in terms of play and learning, the visual evidence of benefit in terms of play and the measures agreed to reduce risk, our judgement is that in this free play area, the benefits far outweigh the risks. With appropriate supervision, instruction and guidance, this area offers excellent learning opportunities. / The risk benefit analysis will be reviewed again at the end of December 2013 and then again at the end of every 2nd school month.
Janitor checks area every day
Materials to be recycled (or discarded) and replaced as appropriate.

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