Chance to run around, play and relax with friends is essential to good learning, Julia Knight

In a study by Princeton University, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers found that more exercise increased calmness and reduced anxiety. This is good news for learners – if anxiety is reduced then learning is likely to be more effective, and this has school wide benefits and impact.

Schools require outdoor and indoor spaces for children’s recreation. These spaces should provide opportunities for exercise, such as grassy area for ball games, climbing frames, and other outdoor equipment to challenge children’s natural curiosity, as well as spaces for quiet reflection. Schools that value wellbeing also value and understand the impact and importance of recreation time too. Teachers also need the space to recollect and regroup

“There is definitely an argument for increasing breaktimes in schools, even if that means a slightly longer day.”

Independent schools in the UK have on average around 20 per cent of the school day given to break times, compared with 16 per cent in the state sector. This is significant because independent schools outperform UK state schools academically – perhaps one way to reduce this gap could be as simple as extending and improving the breaktime provision.

“Increased breaktimes mean staff can interact with each other, and be provided with light relief from the sometimes heavy workload.”

Schools that have longer breaktimes are actually improving the wellbeing of the children in their care. This will also have a knock on effect for staff, as a longer break means they will have more time to complete work, eat and socialise with their peers too.

Teachers are adept at time management and will often spend their breaks marking, performing administrative tasks and / or helping students. This leaves little time for downtime with their colleagues, which is essential in a school. Staff wellness is paramount to ensure students’ well-being. By increasing the breaktimes, staff can interact with each other, and be provided light relief from the sometimes heavy workload of school life.