Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)
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Outdoor play and Learning 2024
The photo slideshow is an example of how our children indenpendently and creatively use all areas of the school grounds during break and lunch times. Also, in the spring term we held an outdoor play and learning day and the children were dressed for the weather. Some children designed their own mud slides which was a huge success!
On the 27th June, the school community had another outdoor play and learning day and invited parents and carers to join in the first session. They were able to hear from our OPAL advisor and to join with their children in outdoor play and learning activities in our school grounds as well as on Werneth Low.
We are so grateful to families for their donations which help make outdoor play such a positive experience for all. Look out for more news through our OPAL newsletters and updates.
What is Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)?
Research has shown that children spend 20% of their time in school playing. To ensure that this time and our wonderful school grounds are used to their full potential, our school has adopted an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) philosophy that allows the children freedom to explore play in their own imaginative ways, often using found and gathered resources in the natural outdoor environment, as well as donations from families, local businesses and the PTFA.
An OPAL approach promotes a more inclusive play environment in which all children can feel comfortable to express themselves. Our OPAL journey began in 2021 and since this time, we have quickly transformed our outdoor environment, to include an all the year surface on the pitch for all pupils, and most recently, a spiritual garden to reflect and find peace. Our children love the new outdoor opportunities that OPAL offers with so much more for them to do, no matter the weather! From playing with tyres, finding creative ways to use the body boards to travel across the playground, den building, climbing trees and swinging on the rope swing, to enjoying imaginative play in the small world area or challenging themselves on the mud slides, and cooking up a storm in the mud kitchen, OPAL offers an exciting alternative to the standard playground activities.
Through this approach to play children are not only more active at lunch or break times, but they are also having the opportunity to further develop life skills such as cooperation, teamwork and problem solving. They are becoming motivated and enthusiastic explorers, designers, and builders. OPAL supports our school vision to develop the mental health and well being of children, to support their social, emotional and spiritual development, and to inspire them to become confident life long learners.