At De Kans, the Dynamic School Day could only really take shape once the schoolyard was used more effectively. “It simply wasn’t a safe place to play,” explains Max van Gelder. Max is a physical education teacher and Healthy School coordinator. “When I came here six years ago, I saw that many pupils did not like going outside during the break. It was survival of the fittest. Basically, it was half an hour of survival, followed by putting out fires in the classroom. Not pleasant for the pupils, and not pleasant for the teachers.”

Feeling of safety

Max does not consider this an exceptional situation. “Many schools have a clear vision, often emphasizing safety and developing at one’s own pace. That vision can sometimes get overlooked in the schoolyard. People say that pupils should just fend for themselves there, because that is how it works in the real world. I disagree. I believe that, as a school, you have a responsibility to arrange all spaces in such a way that pupils feel comfortable. Should there never be any friction? Of course not, but the foundation must be sound. Our entire team discussed it: how could we improve the pupils’ sense of safety while also encouraging them to be more physically active?”

Break time = lesson time

After a great deal of puzzling, the school came up with a different timetable. As a result, far fewer pupils would be in the schoolyard at the same time: instead of as many as 100, there would now be only 30 or 40. In addition, there would be a wide range of physical activities, with a clear structure. “Break time now counts as lesson time, with the added benefit that the school day is shorter. This immediately solved the long-standing problem of teachers’ breaks. Previously, they had to take their breaks while the children were outside; now they are always present and serve as a point of contact for the pupils on educational matters.”

Beweeg Wijs

Nowadays, De Kans’s schoolyard is experienced as much more pleasant and safer. There are also all kinds of activities to do. “We work with Beweeg Wijs, a Healthy School activity. First, the pupils receive an explanation in class, sometimes using videos, about the activities. Then all the groups receive an instruction session in the schoolyard. During the next break, they can get started right away. This clarity and structure are very important for our pupils. There are tag games, ball games and also games that pupils can play on their own. They never have to wait long, can move in a way that suits them and receive enough challenge. Exactly as we like to see it!”

Training for teachers

The teachers received additional training so that they would know better how to guide the pupils in the schoolyard. “It was important for them to reflect on what they considered important in the schoolyard. They often knew that for their own class, but in the schoolyard it felt different. Even though, essentially, it comes down to the same thing.”

Green schoolyard

And last but not least: the schoolyard has been transformed into a much more pleasant environment, because it has more structure and an area of greenery has been added. “We received a generous subsidy from the City of Amsterdam, which enabled us to do this. We now have a freerunning course, two trampolines and two small football pitches. I’m very happy about that!”

Healthy School adviser

Healthy School adviser Stef van Dalen can only emphasize how important it is for the schoolyard to be a pleasant, green place. “We support schools with this, draw their attention to subsidies, look at the school plan and help them think about how the schoolyard can encourage physical activity and sports. Going outside should be appealing. More greenery and challenging play equipment make a schoolyard much more attractive. The result of all of De Kans’s efforts is that people are now genuinely having fun outside, and that is fantastic!”

Tips from Max

  • Find out how safe the schoolyard is perceived to be.
  • Develop a shared vision with the entire team.
  • Ensure that only small groups are in the schoolyard at the same time.
  • Arrange training for teachers so they can guide pupils outside.
  • Provide varied and challenging activities.

Source: Healthy School.