Include play in the statutory national curriculum framework

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the government to recognise play and playful pedagogy in the statutory national curriculum for primary education.
A reform of accountability measures to enable schools to embed play-based learning, support child development, well-being and skills essential for today’s society.

Play supports mental health, executive functioning, SEND needs, physical health, creativity, and learning. (See “Everything to Play For” Report)
Schools are currently under pressure to prioritise data over child development and childhood is being forgotten.
Embedding play helps address current crises, gives all children a joyful, meaningful education they deserve, alongside allowing the development of skills which are needed for the future (OECD and WEF).

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition which calls for the same action:

Make Play and Continuous Provision statutory in England's Key Stage 1 Curriculum
Make Play and Continuous Provision statutory in England's Key Stage 1 Curriculum

Timeline

21 Jun 2025	Petition opened for signatures
16 Jul 2025	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11

Status Rejected

Rejected 16 Jul 2025

Follow this petition