The Academy

Become the educator your students need right now.

A five-module certified pathway in play-based wellbeing, engagement and leadership. Built for teachers who want to do more than manage classrooms; they want to truly influence them.

VIT + AITSL aligned 5 modules Certified completion 12 months access
academy
What the Academy is really about

More than professional development. Real impact.

Built around the power of play, connection and human-centred practice, this five-module journey equips teachers with practical strategies to boost engagement, strengthen wellbeing and build positive, connected classroom cultures. The Academy is about giving educators the tools, confidence and clarity to create learning environments where students feel safe, motivated and ready to thrive.

The journey in one line
  1. 01Believe it
  2. 02Use it
  3. 03Adapt it
  4. 04Lead it
  5. 05Embed it
VIT + AITSL aligned

Reflection-based PD your VIT registration actually counts.

Every module pairs an idea with a reflection task, an in-class implementation, an evidence prompt and an impact write-up: the four-part structure VIT looks for. Documentation provided on completion for your registration body.

The Academy in action

PD that energises the staffroom.

From whole-school ISE days to international conferences — here is what the Academy looks like in the wild.

ISE Day teacher PD
ISE Day teacher PD
Whole-school PD group
Whole-school PD group
Team training at the Academy
Team training at the Academy
Dale presenting at the Academy
Dale presenting at the Academy
01

5 modules in the certified pathway

02

Certified Play-Based Practitioner credential

03

12mo access to the platform

The progression pathway

Awareness → strategy → application → leadership → impact.

Each module builds on the last, but you can also drop in where you need most. Self-paced from start to finish.

01
Module 01
Believe it
The Why

Teachers believe in play.

02
Module 02
Use it
The How (Quick Wins)

Teachers can use play immediately.

03
Module 03
Adapt it
The Who

Teachers can differentiate for and engage a range of learners with confidence.

04
Module 04
Lead it
The Influence · Wolf Logic

Teachers can lead through play.

05
Module 05
Embed it
The Impact

Teachers can sustain and embed change.

Inside each module

The five modules, in detail.

Each module includes a focus topic, learning bullets, structured tasks and a clear outcome. Here is what you will cover.

01
Believe it
The Why

The Superpowers of Play

Unlocking Engagement, Wellbeing & Learning

Focus
Understanding the science and impact of play.

  • · Play and executive functioning
  • · Engagement, connection and wellbeing
  • · The neuroscience behind play

Outcome

Teachers believe in play.

02
Use it
The How (Quick Wins)

Brain Breaks that Work

Reset, Refocus, Re-engage

Focus
Practical strategies for immediate classroom impact.

  • · Purposeful brain breaks (not just "time fillers")
  • · Regulation, reset and refocus
  • · Timing, structure and delivery

Outcome

Teachers can use play immediately.

03
Adapt it
The Who

Play for Every Brain

Supporting Neurodiversity Through Play

Focus
Supporting neurodivergent learners through play.

  • · ADHD, ASD and sensory needs
  • · Regulation and inclusion
  • · Designing accessible play experiences

Outcome

Teachers can differentiate for and engage a range of learners with confidence.

04
Lead it
The Influence · Wolf Logic

Wolf Logic: Play-Based Leadership

Building Trust, Culture & Connection

Focus
Leadership, culture and psychological safety.

  • · Trust, connection and vulnerability
  • · Human-centred leadership
  • · Building strong "packs" within schools

Outcome

Teachers can lead through play.

05
Embed it
The Impact

From Behaviour to Belonging

Play-Based Strategies for Culture & Classroom Management

Focus
Embedding play into behaviour and classroom culture.

  • · Connection before correction
  • · Proactive behaviour strategies
  • · Building engaged, self-regulating classrooms

Outcome

Teachers can sustain and embed change.

Assessment & reflection

Four light-touch tasks per module.

Simple, meaningful, evidence-based. Exactly what teachers need for professional learning hours, and exactly what VIT looks for in your registration evidence.

01
Reflection task
Personal practice · 10–15 mins

A short written or video reflection: what was the key insight, how does it connect to your current practice, and what challenged your thinking?

02
Implementation task
In-class application

Trial one strategy in your classroom: a structured brain break, a play-based transition, a connection routine. Pick one, run it, watch what happens.

03
Evidence collection
For VIT documentation

Gather light-touch evidence: photos where appropriate, lesson notes, a student observation, a behaviour or engagement reflection. Stays in your portfolio.

04
Impact reflection
Short evaluation

Four prompts: what did you try, what changed, what worked well, what would you refine next time? Honest beats long.

Same four-task structure across every module. Workload stays manageable; impact compounds.

Optional · highly recommended

Become a Certified Play-Based Practitioner.

At the end of Module 5, complete the Play-Based Practice Reflection: a short reflection or portfolio answering four prompts about how your practice has evolved, what's embedded, the impact you've seen and how you'll continue.

Requirements
  • Completion of all 5 modules
  • Reflections + collected evidence submitted
  • One demonstrated classroom application
  • Digital credential
Certified Play-Based Practitioner
The School of Play Academy
5 Modules20 Tasks1 Portfolio
Issued by The School of Play
Who leads the Academy

Built and led by working educators.

Every module is written and delivered by Dale and Paul, with guest contributors from across the partner-school network. No outsourced trainers. No theory-only modules. Every strategy has been tested in real classrooms before it lands in yours.

  • Practical, classroom-ready strategies
  • Self-paced, with live cohort options
  • Backed by La Trobe University research
  • Whole-school licences available
DS

Dale Sidebottom

TEDx speaker, two-time Wiley author and founder of The School of Play. Over two decades working across schools, sporting clubs, corporates and families in 25+ countries, training 50,000+ educators along the way.

Meet the founders →
PC

Paul Campbell

Co-author of 365 Days of Play and co-founder of The School of Play. Paul has spent two decades in positive education and wellbeing, as a facilitator, author and play educator working across schools, communities and organisations worldwide.

Meet the founders →
Loved by educators, families and teams

Stories from across the play movement.

Real educators. Real classrooms. Real change.

Best PD I've ever done, and I've been teaching 18 years. Practical from day one. My class felt different inside a week.
HK
Hannah K.
Year 4 Teacher, Melbourne
The reflection tasks were the unlock. Trying one thing, seeing the change, writing it down; that's where the practice actually shifted.
DL
David L.
Head of PE, Sydney
We bought a whole-school licence and onboarded 32 staff in a single staff meeting. The energy in our staffroom shifted.
CO
Caren O.
Deputy Principal, Nairobi
Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing.

One individual price. One whole-school option. No surprises. Enrol today and start the same week.

Individual Teacher

Full 5-module pathway · 12 months access

$295 AUD
Enrol now

Whole-School License

Reduced rates for full team access

Custom
Talk to us
Academy FAQ

Quick answers from teachers.

Can't find what you're looking for? Drop us a line and we'll get back to you within one business day.

Real answers, real humans.
No bots, no run-arounds.

01How long does the certified pathway take?

Most teachers complete the five modules in 4–6 weeks at 60–90 minutes per week. You can compress it into a long weekend or stretch it across a term; the platform is self-paced and your progress saves automatically.

02How does this align with VIT and AITSL?

Every module includes a reflection task, an implementation task, an evidence collection prompt and an impact reflection: the structure VIT looks for. The certificate of completion is recognised toward AITSL professional standards. Documentation is provided on completion for your registration body.

03What is the Certified Play-Based Practitioner designation?

It's the optional next-level micro-credential. To earn it, you complete all five modules, submit your reflections + collected evidence, and demonstrate one classroom application from your own practice. We issue a digital badge + certificate you can attach to your professional portfolio.

04What if my school wants the whole team in?

Whole-school licences are available at substantially reduced per-teacher rates, with onboarding sessions and an aligned PD plan. Talk to us about cohort pricing.

05Is it just for primary teachers?

No. The Academy serves PE/Health teachers, classroom teachers F–12, school leaders, counsellors and educators in alternative settings. Each module adapts to your role and year level; the strategies scale up to senior secondary and down to early childhood.

06Do I get ongoing access after the certificate?

Yes. Your enrolment includes 12 months of access to the full Academy library: every module, every webinar, every supporting resource, plus updates as new content drops.

Still got a question?

We reply to every email within one business day.

Email the team →

Ready to elevate your practice?

The educator your students need is one enrolment away. Five modules. One certified credential. A practice that students can feel from the door.

Acknowledgement of CountryThe School of Play acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.