The OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning  Programme, is the result of 17 years testing and development in over 500 schools, and in 2018 OPAL won first prize in an EU funded award for the best active school’s programme in Europe. OPAL is based on the idea that as well as learning through good teaching, children also learn when they play, and as 20% of their time in school is playtime, we want to make sure that this amount of time (equivalent to 1.4 years of primary school) is as good as possible.

Snape and Thornton Watlass Primary Schools have introduced OPAL to improve our children’s playtime.

This has introduced new opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, co-operation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment through improved play.

We have implemented new play opportunities a zone at a time, ensuring that the zones are safe, fun and resourced appropriately.

The children will get a bit messier, be exposed to more challenges and have greater freedom to play where and how they like. Therefore, it is essential for children to have a pair of wellies with them, in school, ready for their turn to play on the field where they are likely to get dirty. In addition to this, a warm, sturdy winter coat is needed every day; one that can withstand a bit of dirt, wet and wear and tear! 

 As we open up opportunities for children, we will need resources that will help to improve the grounds and play equipment; old tyres, crates, tubes, fancy dress clothes or even old scooters and bikes. These are items that we can adapt for safe play in school. The children are going to be using more of the outside school grounds, for more of the year.