Leading by Listening: A Playful Approach

There is a National network being formed to take this forward in session 2024/2025. Please get in touch with Lynsey Burke if you would like to be added to the network. This project page will be built up over time to support educators in the network and will include information, resources, materials, evidence of impact and links to research articles.

In the meantime, the Playful Framework is currently being piloted in Redwell Primary School, Clackmannanshire Council, with members of staff there working alongside the Playful Researchers as co-researchers. Updates on the pilot will be provided here from January 2024 onwards.

PLAYFUL

Problematise

• Identify the issue and be clear about why you are listening. Has there been a critical incident?
•  How does this relate to your self-evaluation processes?
•  What other supporting evidence do you have?
• What would children like to have their voices heard on?

Link & look

• Link (e.g., to literature/school improvement planning/policies/frameworks/guidance/SDGs/HGIOS)
• Look inwards, outwards and forwards (ongoing).

Action Plan to Amplify Voices

• Co-create the plan with children; How would children like to share their voices on this issue? Who?
• Where?
• When?
• Take into account preferences, interests, observations.

Findings & Feedback

• Capturing children’s voices; what are the children saying?
• Reflecting: was that method an effective way of listening to their voices?
• Educator observes/documents/records.

Understand & Interpret

• What does all of this mean?
• Avoid making assumptions. 
• Triangulation of data?
• Discuss with children to check understanding.

Look to the Future

• What happens now and next?
• How can children’s voices be used to influence change?
• How might children like to have their voices heard in the future? 

Download the Playful Framework (PDF) on the Discovery Portal website.