Playlink Issues

This is the section where we keep a range of written materials which may be of interest including: published articles, papers and open letters.

• Key Terms for Play »

  ‘Risk-averse schools cannot meet their key objectives. Policy and practice need to be aligned to nurture risk-taking opportunities.’
  An article by Bernard Spiegal for Teaching Times.

  Posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 in Articles
• The Brentford Play Plan »

  A joint West Play Association and PLAYLINK examination of play opportunities in Brentford (Middlesex), and proposals of a non-traditional kind. Of potential interest to those labouring to assess current provision but also wanting to think anew.

  Posted on Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 in Articles, Places for Play
• PLAYLINK assessment of Forestry Commission’s play provision »

  Includes sections on consultation, teenagers, risk, standards, play offer, publicity and promotion. Of interest to those responsible for unsupervised play provision, shared public space, and destination venues.

  Posted on Monday, December 15th, 2008 in Articles, General, Places for Play, Sections
• Green Places magazine article by Bernard Spiegal: Trends and Initiatives »

  There needs to be a radical change in the nature and extent of the play opportunities we offer children and young people.

  Posted on Friday, November 28th, 2008 in Articles, Places for Play
• Green Places magazine article by Bernard Spiegal: Consultation: don’t ask? »

  I want in this article to criticise what is commonly termed ‘consultation’.
  I want in particular to criticise ‘consultation’ as it too often affects decisions about play provision…

  Posted on Friday, September 19th, 2008 in Articles, Places for Play, Policy and Strategy
• Play in School - Releasing the strangle-hold »

  Playwords article by Bernard Spiegal.
  The first article in this two-part series noted that ‘Health and Safety’ considerations appeared to exert a ‘strangle-hold’ on schools…

  Posted on Friday, September 19th, 2008 in Articles, Policy and Strategy, Risk and Play
• PLAYLINK response to Fair Play »

  PLAYLINK welcomes many of the commitments to be found in Fair Play… However, we have major reservations…

  Posted on Monday, July 14th, 2008 in Open Letters, Policy and Strategy
• Report on Findings of PLAYLINK’s Playground Procurement and Maintenance Survey »

  PLAYLINK, along with others, has long
  felt that procurement practice too often militates against creating best
  possible playable spaces …

  Posted on Monday, September 17th, 2007 in Places for Play
• Comments on Play England’s draft Play Indicators Quality Assessment Tool »

  The Play Indicators Quality Assessment tool is conceptually
  flawed. It cannot do the job that it claims is its aim…

  Posted on Friday, April 27th, 2007 in General, Policy and Strategy
• Lost Conversations: some thoughts on consultation »

  It is an irony, perhaps, that enthusiasm for
  children and young people’s consultation and participation coincides with a
  period in which their scope for independent choice…

  Posted on Monday, April 2nd, 2007 in Policy and Strategy