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Key Stage 1 Curriculum
26 January 2026
Lead MP
Roz Savage
South Cotswolds
LD
Responding Minister
Olivia Bailey
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Word Count: 13137
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Roz Savage raised concerns about key stage 1 curriculum in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should look at bringing a forest school approach into classrooms, and ensure that playgrounds in constituencies like Hastings and Rye are properly maintained so that children can enjoy them. Play-based learning is essential for childhood development and should be integrated into the curriculum as a planned, teacher-guided pedagogy.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
England is an outlier as the only nation with no statutory expectation that play-based learning should continue beyond age five. The Government’s response to a petition with over 106,000 signatures appears to misunderstand the distinction between enrichment and play-based learning. The current model works well for perhaps 10% of pupils but not for the majority due to its misalignment with how children's brains work.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship in this important debate. The hon. Member for South Cotswolds introduced the topic of play-based learning in early years education.
Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Stressed the benefits of incorporating play in learning, citing a high retention rate from play-based activities compared to traditional methods. Emphasised the importance of fun for children.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
He supported the petition and highlighted the importance of inclusive education, citing the example of Unplugged Tots, which equips children with foundational skills through play. He emphasised that fun and engaging activities are crucial for young learners.
David Baines
Lab
St Helens North
Emphasises the importance of continuous provision in key stage 1, supporting Ruth Lue-Quee's campaign. Highlights the need for statutory expectation to ensure every child has access to this type of learning.
Kieran M Savage
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
Echoed the request for the Minister to reconsider mandating play in the curriculum, citing international examples of success and urging it as a right for all children.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Pays tribute to campaigners and highlights the work of PEDAL, a centre dedicated to researching the importance of play in early childhood development. Mentions examples of forest school programmes in primary schools that integrate play into learning.
Epsom and Ewell
Highlighted how play helps children develop teamwork and problem-solving skills, supported by UNICEF's findings on resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Helena Dollimore
Lab/Co-op
Hastings and Rye
Highlights the issue of playground closures and disrepair in her constituency, emphasizing the need for better maintenance and upgrading of playgrounds, particularly those serving needy communities.
James McMurdock
Ind
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Shares observations from visiting schools involved in the Outdoor Play and Learning programme, highlighting its positive impact on children's wellbeing, social development, and readiness to learn.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
The OPAL programme at Brookside primary school shows that outdoor play improves classroom learning by reducing issues and disputes. Teachers support both indoor and outdoor play for better outcomes.
Jen Craft
Lab
Thurrock
She congratulated campaigners on securing the debate and pointed out that countries prioritising play-based learning consistently score highly in international rankings. She stressed the importance of inclusive schooling models, which could be achieved by incorporating play-based learning.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Agrees with the importance of play-based education and mentions Woods for Learning, a forest school in his constituency that caters to children with special educational needs.
Liam Conlon
Lab
Beckenham and Penge
Supports his colleague on the importance of play-based learning, referencing a constituent teacher's experience and suggesting consideration of teachers' experience alongside academic evidence.
Olivia Bailey
Con
Reading West
Minister for Education acknowledges the importance of play in children's development, mentioning her visits to primary schools where she saw firsthand the impact of play on younger children’s wellbeing.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Emphasised the importance of play in early education, citing personal experience and academic evidence. Asked the Minister to engage with evidence showing the importance of integrating play into learning and urged for an evidence-based approach.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
Smith highlights local support for the petition with 389 signatures from South West Devon. She mentions conversations with teachers and visits to schools implementing play-based approaches, emphasizing the need to balance play with a rigorous curriculum.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
The hon. Member supports the education statutory framework but questions the impact of social media on children's play time, urging the Government to ban phones in schools.
Wolverhampton North East
Growing up in today’s world is difficult for children, many of whom start school without fundamental skills. Early years provision should embrace how young children learn best and focus on play-based learning as it is a foundation of language and literacy development.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Play becomes a reward and its withdrawal a sanction when children enter key stage 1, which is not supportive. Active play stimulates the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor that supports memory, focus, and neuroplasticity.
Government Response
Olivia Bailey
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
Government Response
Minister emphasises the Government's commitment to supporting play through investments in playgrounds and free breakfast clubs, noting £18 million allocated towards upgrading 200 playgrounds across the country. She also highlights plans for a new core enrichment offer to be provided by every school and college. Acknowledged the importance of play but argued against mandating it at key stage 1, citing teacher flexibility. Mentioned that play is part of the EYFS curriculum.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.