OPAL

In September 2024, we have started an exciting project called 'The Primary OPAL Programme'. OPAL, which stands for Outdoor Play and Learning, is a whole school initiative that we will be using to enhance our provision at lunchtime. We recognise the value of play in children’s personal and social development and want to create an opportunity for children to enjoy high quality play.

OPAL's Vision

'At OPAL we have seen just how much of an impact improving play can make to a school. We are not just talking about playtimes being a bit less bother or about children being a bit happier. We are talking about cultural transformation.

When you address a need that is so fundamental to children's physical and mental well-being as play, and you do it well, it is impossible to think of how you ran a school and didn’t do this.

Our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions. If one child is not enjoying playtimes, then things still need improving.

We want every school to plan for, resource and evaluate the quality of their play provision as if it were an important human right, essential to all aspects of children’s development and a source of joy and happiness that every child can access because it is all of these things.

We are looking forward to working alongside OPAL in the coming year to develop our play provision at school and will be sharing more information with parents and carers soon.  

September 2024

We have started to introduce different activity areas in the playground that children are able to access during lunchtimes. These have already proven very popular and include activities such as:

• skipping
• cars & vehicles
• dressing up
• home area
• small world
• sports area
• games

It has been fantastic to see the children immersing themselves in play which is not only great fun but also develops vital social skills such as communication and sharing. 

Lunchtime is so much more fun now and there is loads to do!