Freedom to choose. Confidence to grow. Explore the play zones ACRE PLAY Acre Play transforms every breaktime into an opportunity to explore, create and connect. Across our dedicated play zones, children choose how they play—developing independence, imagination and friendships every day.
Explore Acre Play

A place for every kind of play

Our outdoor environment gives children the freedom to choose how they play. Eight distinctive zones offer space to imagine, explore, create, compete, take on challenges and enjoy being active.

Adventure Land

Explore, climb and take on exciting challenges in a natural environment built for discovery.

Fantasy Land

Create new worlds, invent characters and let imagination lead every story and adventure.

Acre Street

A busy world of role play, shops, homes and community life where children create together.

Pet World

Care, nurture and learn through imaginative animal play that develops empathy and responsibility.

Active Zone

Run, jump, move and play together through energetic activities that keep every child active.

Challenge Zone

Test skills, solve problems and build confidence through challenges completed independently and together.

Acre Speedway

Ride, steer and travel safely around our track while developing coordination, awareness and confidence.

Games Zone

Enjoy traditional playground games, practise new skills and experience friendly competition.

Select 1 or 2, or use the arrows, to explore every Acre Play zone.

Why play matters

More than breaktime

Play is an essential part of childhood. It gives children time to make choices, build relationships, test ideas and develop the personal skills they need for learning and life.

Children enjoying imaginative and active play together at Acre Heads
Freedom to choose. Confidence to grow.
A valuable part of every week
Children experience 7½ hours of play each week
compared with around 5 hours of mathematics

This time deserves the same thoughtful planning as every other part of school life. Purposeful play develops communication, sparks creativity, strengthens friendships and gives children authentic opportunities to practise teamwork, resilience and independence.

What children build through play

Choice
Creativity
Friendship
Teamwork
Resilience
Independence
Children playing football and enjoying active play across Invasion World at Acre Heads
Invasion World · Active, social and child-led play
Play in action

Play with freedom. Supported with care.

Children are trusted to make meaningful choices about their play, while trained adults provide the calm presence, encouragement and support that help everyone play safely.

Adults range and observe

Staff are present across every zone, watching, listening and stepping in when support is needed.

Children learn to judge risk

We encourage safe choices and help children develop confidence through experience and appropriate challenge.

Everyone follows the Acre Way

Kindness, respect and responsibility keep play welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable for every child.

Explore Acre Play

Acre Play plan & documents

Explore how our play environment is organised and read the documents that help us provide ambitious, inclusive and well-supported play for every child.

Illustrated plan showing the Acre Play provision and zones around the school Explore the site

Acre Play provision plan

Discover where every play zone is located, from Invasion World and Adventure Land to Acre Speedway, Fantasy Land and the quieter imaginative spaces.

View the full plan

Acre Play Policy

Our shared approach

Read our commitment to high-quality play and how Acre Play supports children’s development, wellbeing, inclusion and enjoyment throughout the school day.

View Policy

Acre Play Risk Assessment

Balancing benefit and risk

See how we identify hazards, consider the benefits of challenge and put proportionate controls in place to support adventurous and developmentally valuable play.

View Document

Acre Play Rules

Safe, kind and responsible

Explore the simple shared expectations that help children follow the Acre Way, make thoughtful choices and ensure play remains safe and inclusive for everyone.

View Document
Freedom to choose. Confidence to grow. Supported by the Acre Way.