Case Studies
PLAYGROUND BUDDIES
Background
Actions
To train and support the introduction of
year 2 playground buddies for lunch
time play.
PE Leader met with head teacher to discuss how best the playground
buddies system would fit into lunch and play times.
When the PE Leader started at the
school in September 2015 playground
leaders had been introduced and had
not been sustained. A dinner lady had
completed the Change 4 Life course in
2014-15
but
the
process
of
implementation had not been followed
through and monitored. The new PE
Leader had also introduced playground
buddies in her previous school with
great success and sought this as an
area for improvement.
Quote – Staff
‘ I have noticed a change in the buddies behaviour,
they are incredibly helpful to the other year groups
and to the dinner ladies. It is giving them the
opportunity to be a leader which they have not
previously had. They are also providing the whole
school with new games to play with and modelling
the correct way to use equipment. More children
are joining in with new games and being more active
at play time.’
Quote – Pupil(s)
‘ I like being a buddy because we all go and
play together. The children in other years like
to come and play with us. We have children in
year 4 and also the little ones.’
PE Leader met with the dinner lady team to discuss which year group
would take on the role.
Children introduced to the playground buddy role.
Children applied for the position.
Dinner ladies trained.
Uniforms purchased for buddies.
Buddies chosen and introduced to the whole school.
A variety of new activities and games introduced to the playground.
Impact
Dinner lady: ‘The children thoroughly enjoy leading the games.
They are sensible and model excellent behaviour. They are
good role models to the rest of the playground.
Dinner lady 2: ‘It is so lovely to see playground buddies leading
games for the younger children who often don’t know what to
play. It is nice for them to play games. It means their behaviour
has improved too’.
This is a relatively new initiative and impact is still yet to be
quantified. However in the short time it has been in place at
the school lunch time behaviour has improved. The
engagement in different games and opportunities has
increased. The young leaders are enjoying the opportunity to
lead activities and help the dinner ladies.
‘ I like it because I am teaching the little ones to
share. They are taking turns when I lead races.
We all show each other respect and patience
like our values’.
How partners are supporting the school/cluster of schools to embed and sustain the activity
Redborne Partnership have arranged and supplied the initial Change 4 Life course and bag. They have also
supplied all the Change 4 Life activity cards to support and implement playground buddies.