School Support Series 2025-2026

Supporting Irish primary schools in creating conditions for play rights in schoolyards.

Project Aims

Deliver 10 free monthly online presentations (Sept 2025–June 2026) on creating conditions for play in schoolyards
Share (and build) accessible resources for schools
Facilitate an online drop-in session to share experiences and create community.
Generate shared recommendations with schools to policymakers on the types of supports schools need to  plan, implement and evaluate conditions for play rights in Irish schoolyards.

Online Series Schedule (Sept 2025 – June 2026)

Monthly 60-minute MS Teams Webinars (30–45 min presentation + Q&A

REGISTER EACH MONTH BY CLICKING ON THE BOX BELOW

Why good playtimes make sense for both children and schools and what good playtimes might look like

Thursday 18th September

Dr Wendy Russell

Evaluating the cultural conditions for play in schools | Dynamimc Risk Assessment

Thursday 16th October

Dr Bobby Beaumount OPAL UK

The Role of Play in Curriculum Change and Re-Development – Key Messages from Policy for Practice Schools

Thursday 20th November

Professor Emer Ring

Taking Outdoor Play Seriously (TOPS)

Thursday 4th December 2025

PlayBoard NI

Play and Wellbeing | Creating conditions for play & whole school wellbeing outcomes

Thursday 15th January

Christina Duff, Irish Heart Foundation

Spatial layouts & Equipment | SuDs | Natural Spaces

Thursday 19th February

John Stack, Dublin City Council

The Role of the Environment as the Third Teacher in Supporting Access to Play for All Children

Thursday 19th March

Professor Emer Ring

Universal and inclusive design | 7 principles applied to playgrounds including case studies

Thursday 16th April

Dr Helen Lynch

Positive Playgrounds & Taking Outdoor Play Seriously (TOPS)

Thursday 21st May

Playboard NI

Co-constructing space for play in Irish Schoolyards

Thursday 18th June

Dr Michelle Bergin

Drop-in Facilitated Dialogue Sessions | First Thursday of each month

Dates: 2nd October | 6th November | 4th December |
Platform: MS Teams Meetings
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Registration: Link sent to all schools registered for webinars

Highlights

Facilitated Dialogue

Identify support needs, share experiences, build peer network

With Dr Helen Lynch, Professor Emer Ring & Dr Michelle Bergin

Highlights

Irish Schools Sustainability Network with Dr Mary Moore

Schoolyard Change Project Examples

with Debbie Clarke, Dublin City Council