OPAL (Outdoor Play & Learning)

What is OPAL?

  

 

The OPAL programme provides opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, co-operation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment through improved play.

The OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning Programme is the result of 17 years testing and development in over 250 schools and is now used in Canada and New Zealand as well as across the UK. Work has started to adapt the programme for schools in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Austria. In 2018 OPAL won first prize in an EU funded award for the best active school’s programme in Europe.

It is based on the idea that as well as learning through good teaching, your 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.

OPAL at WPS

One reason we are carrying out this programme is that childhood has changed and many children no longer get their play need met out of school.

• Average screen time per day 5 hours
• Average outdoor play time per week 5 hours
• Percentage of UK children who only play outdoor with other children at school 56%

There are many proven benefits for schools which carry out the OPAL Programme. They usually include: more enjoyment of school, less teaching time lost to disputes between children, less accidents and greatly improved behaviour.

Working with staff, governors, children and our families, we have one simple aim at Willington Primary School;

amazing playtimes for every child every day.

We know that under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 31, play is a human right. The need of play is fundamental to children’s physical and mental well-being. Through implementing the OPAL project, we have been developing high quality provision for outdoor play, so that every child as an amazing high-quality play every day.

In January 2024, we started the work on the project and all staff and children have been thoroughly enjoying the change. Through the support of parents, local volunteers and dedicated staff, we are able to offer opportunities at lunchtime for activities such as: messy play, small world, mud café, digging, sand pit play, large loose parts, wheelies, dressing up and so much more.

The children share their ideas at our fortnightly OPAL assembly so that new areas can be developed and the children can continue to make amazing memories with their friends.

 

How do the children feel about OPAL at WPS?

“Lunchtime is the best time of the day!” Year 5 pupil

“We get to play in the sand and make volcanoes like Mount Vesuvius and things at lunchtime” Year 4 pupil

“We didn’t used to have anything to play with. Now we have tyre swings, sandpits, mud and loads of things to play with!” Year 3 pupil

"I love playing on the scooter and on the tractor on the playground!" Year 2 pupil

 

What do parent’s think of OPAL at WPS?

Parents attend 'Stay and Play' sessions at Willington. They have the opportunity to see how the children 'play' and to experience 'playing' in our wonderful school grounds with very happy children. Some of the parent feedback can be seen below: 

“Absolutely fantastic provision, so impressed with how it has all been set up and the children seemed to be gaining so much from it”.

“I think it's an amazing thing for the children.”

“Very impressed. The whole school looked engaged in all the fantastic variety of equipment and activities. A huge well done from us to all the staff who have obviously done a brilliant job, and Continue to make this an obvious success.”

“Thank you for being so welcoming and explaining the opal play. I truly enjoyed attending today and learning more about OPAL . It has most definitely brightened my day . Would love to attend again.”

“Brilliant, the children obviously love the facilities and really enjoyed showing me around, it was clear to see so many great opportunities for play and everyone was having a great time!”

“It was lovely to be able to attend to see our children play and using the resources around the school playground/ field.”

“Love the concept and so do the kids by their big smiles on their faces. Really impressed and lovely to see them playing.”