We are thrilled to announce that starting in Autumn 2026, our school is launching the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) project!

OPAL is a nationally recognized, award-winning program designed to transform school break times into high-quality, meaningful play experiences. By reimagining our outdoor spaces and play culture, we are ensuring that every child has the freedom, variety, and support to make the absolute most of their time outdoors.

Did you know that during their time at primary school, children spend the equivalent of 1 year and 4 months at play?
Play makes up around 20% of the school day. It is not just a break from learning—it is an essential part of childhood that directly supports learning, health, and happiness. Because play occupies such a significant portion of school life, we are committed to making that time as rich, engaging, and beneficial as possible.

1. Choice and ownership

Providing open-ended resources enables children to play how they want to play and with whom they want to play. Whether building structures, designing games, or simply relaxing with friends across different year groups, every child can find something that genuinely interests them.

2. Health and Well-being

Active, outdoor play builds physical strength, coordination, and stamina. Beyond physical health, outdoor play acts as a natural reset for children's mental well-being—reducing stress, building confidence, and fostering joy.

3. Life Skills & Resilience

Through child-led play, pupils naturally learn essential life skills: teamwork, negotiation, creative problem-solving, and assessing safe boundaries. They build resilience by trying new things in a supportive environment.

4. Better Focus in the Classroom

When children have spent a break time engaged in deeply satisfying, physical, and self-directed play, they return to the classroom energized, focused, and ready to learn.

• Open-Ended "Loose Parts": You will see items like crates, tyres, fabric, cardboard, and wooden blocks integrated into outdoor spaces, allowing infinite imaginative possibilities.

• All-Weather Play: We believe there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing! Play will happen outdoors year-round - obviously not during hazardous conditions, we will risk assess each day.

• Inclusive Play Spaces: Zones and resources will be created to cater to all interests, from quiet creative areas to energetic movement zones.

As we build up to our Autumn launch, there are two key ways you can support the initiative:

1. Outdoor Clothes: Please start preparing for all-weather play! As we approach Autumn, children will need wellies/waterproof shoes and warm, weatherproof coats at school every day.
2. Resource Donations: OPAL thrives on recycled "loose parts." Before throwing away items at home, check our upcoming newsletter for lists of items we may be collecting (e.g., old pots and pans, suitcases, tarpaulins, steering wheels, and wooden planks).

We are excited to take this journey together to make play at our school the absolute best it can be!