OPAL Play at Our School

We are excited to be working towards becoming an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) School. OPAL is a nationally recognised programme that supports schools in developing high-quality play opportunities for all children.At our school, we believe that play is a vital part of children’s learning, wellbeing and development. By improving our play provision through OPAL, we aim to ensure that every child has access to rich, inclusive, and enjoyable play experiences every day.

Why We Are Introducing OPAL

Children spend a significant proportion of their school day at play. OPAL helps us make the most of this important time by:

• Improving the quality and variety of outdoor play
• Ensuring play is inclusive, engaging, and accessible to all children
• Supporting physical health, mental wellbeing, and emotional resilience
• Encouraging creativity, imagination, collaboration, and problem-solving
• Helping children to manage risk safely and build independence

Research shows that high-quality play leads to happier children, improved behaviour, stronger friendships, and better readiness for learning in the classroom.

Benefits for Our Children

Through OPAL, children are given opportunities to:

• Be active and develop healthy lifestyles
• Build confidence, independence, and resilience
• Strengthen social skills and friendships
• Use creativity and imagination freely
• Explore, investigate, and take appropriate risks
• Enjoy play that reflects their interests, ideas, and needs

OPAL supports children to become happy, confident learners, both in and out of the classroom.

OPALs – Our Play Team

As part of our OPAL journey, we have introduced OPALs – children who are part of our Play Team and help to support positive play at lunchtime.

OPALs:

• Help others to join in and feel included
• Encourage kindness, teamwork, and fair play
• Support younger children during playtimes
• Act as positive role models on the playground
• Help to look after play resources and equipment

Being an OPAL helps children develop leadership skills, confidence, responsibility, and empathy. OPALs work alongside staff to help ensure playtimes are happy, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

Our Play Charter

We believe that play is a fundamental part of childhood and is essential for children’s wellbeing and development.

Here is our Play Charter:

Our Play Policy

Our Play Policy outlines our commitment to providing high-quality, inclusive play opportunities and explains how play is supported and managed at our school.

Here is our Play Policy:

How You Can Help – Donations Welcome

As part of our OPAL provision, we use a wide range of loose parts and recycled materials to enrich children’s play. These resources encourage creativity, teamwork, and imaginative play.We would be very grateful for donations of items such as:

• Pots, pans, and kitchen utensils
• Tyres, crates, pallets, and planks
• Fabric, tarpaulins, ropes, and tubes
• Suitcases, bags, and dressing-up items
• Any safe, clean, reusable materials suitable for outdoor play

If you are able to donate or would like further information, please contact the school office. Your support makes a real difference to our children’s play experiences.