Baltasound Junior High School (JHS) in Unst has today been presented with a Play Pedagogy Award from Play Scotland – the first school in Scotland to receive this award.
The Award was presented in Unst today by Fiona Kirkland, the Play Pedagogy Lead at Play Scotland, in the company of pupils, staff, and parents and families, at a special day-long play event in the school. The Award recognises the school’s whole school commitment to embedding children’s right to play, and how play can sit at the heart of a rich learning environment, within the whole school community.
Baltasound JHS is one of the ten pilot schools selected in 2024 to test and help shape the Play Pedagogy Award, and Play Scotland is now working with over 20 local authorities across Scotland.
Schools across Scotland are today celebrating the International Day of Play, established by the United Nations in 2024 which recognises play as essential to children’s wellbeing, learning and development. Pedagogy is defined as ‘the method, and practice, of teaching’ and play pedagogy embraces ‘play’ as the primary vehicle for teaching and learning.
Almost all schools in Shetland have a support worker whose role is to help implement and develop play as part of high quality teaching and learning within their school. Play is considered as part of a school inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE).
Baltasound Junior High School is located in the island of Unst and has a current school roll of 90 pupils, across Early Years, Primary and Secondary One to Four.
Davie Sandison, Chair of the Council’s Education and Families Committee said: “I’d like to congratulate the pupils, staff and the wider school community at Baltasound Junior High School on their success in achieving this Play Scotland Pedagogy Award.
"They have demonstrated the incredible value of play and how everyone can learn, explore and connect through play. At the heart of the school’s rich learning environment, play supports children’s wellbeing and confidence and I’m delighted that this award shines a spotlight on the school’s fantastic work.”
- Play Scotland is the lead organisation for the development and promotion of play in Scotland. Play Scotland shares ideas, resources and training to ensure high quality and diverse play opportunities. More information at www.playscotland.org/
- The Scottish Government’s “Play Vision Statement & Action Plan 2025 to 2030” is available online