Play-Based Learning Workshop
Workshop: The Transformative Power of Play in Key Stage 1
Date: Monday 22 September 2025
Time: 09:15 – 12:00
Location: St. Ebbe’s School, Whitehouse Road, Oxford, OX1 4NA
Cost: £125 per school (includes up to 3 colleagues; £50 per additional colleague)
Booking: Email sbm@st-ebbes.oxon.sch.uk
Refreshments: Light refreshments provided
Discover the Impact of Play-Based Pedagogy
Join us for an interactive workshop exploring how play-based learning can thrive in mainstream primary schools up to at least age 7. At St. Ebbe’s, children are thriving in our play-based provision—engaged, motivated, and meeting or exceeding age-related expectations. The impact has been so significant that we are extending this approach into Year 3 next year.
This session is ideal for school leaders and teachers looking to begin or strengthen their journey towards effective play-based provision in Key Stage 1.
What You’ll Learn
- Research on the benefits of play for Key Stage 1 children
- How play supports brain development
- Belief systems that may hinder implementation
- Aligning play-based pedagogy with the National Curriculum
- Ofsted’s perspective on play
- Outcomes from play-based provision in Key Stage 1
- Planning for a play-based classroom
- Successful classroom setup and timetabling
Who Should Attend
- Key Stage 1 teachers
- School leaders
- Headteachers (highly recommended)
Workshop Format
This hands-on session includes:
- Keynotes
- Learning Exhibition tour and exploration
- Classroom tour
- Discussion time
- Planning tools
Parking Information
Please pull up outside the school and ask the office team for a County Council car park pass. Continue straight and take the next left before the road ends.
Important: Do not enter Whitehouse Road before 9:00am to avoid a traffic fine.
About the Presenters
Tina Farr is Headteacher at St. Ebbe’s. She leads with a focus on aligning pedagogy with healthy child development and human flourishing, while remaining grounded in the accountability requirements of the education system.
Tara Watts is an experienced Early Years and Key Stage 1 teacher with 14 years of experience, including implementing play-based learning approaches throughout Key Stage 1.