At our school, we are proud to be part of OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) – a nationally recognised programme that transforms everyday play into a powerful opportunity for growth, learning, health and happiness. Through OPAL, we ensure that our playgrounds become vibrant, inclusive spaces where children of all ages and abilities can explore, imagine, collaborate and challenge themselves — every single day.

Play is not “just a break”; it’s part of childhood. As we believe that every child deserves the right to play, to grow and to thrive, regardless of background, ability or circumstances, our partnership with OPAL means we are committed to giving all pupils the chance to enjoy amazing, high-quality play every day.

Children in British primary schools spend 20%, the equivalent to 1.4 years, of their school attendance in play. The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme is a mentor-supported school improvement programme. It addresses all of the areas schools must plan for if they want to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities.

With OPAL our school community commits to planning and resourcing play with the same care as formal lessons. Our staff are trained to support and encourage quality play, and children are encouraged to use their imaginations, take safe risks, and work together — building resilience, social and emotional skills, confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of being active and outdoors. 

Q: What are the benefits of the OPAL Primary Programme?

• More teaching time
  Most schools report 10 minutes more teaching time per teacher with happier, more creative, and well exercised children who settle to classes much more quickly.
• Improved behaviour
  OPAL schools report an 80% reduction in the use of behaviour policies and a 90% reduction in senior leadership time being spent resolving playtime issues.
• Faster core skills development
  Children at OPAL schools rapidly develop creativity, imagination, cooperation, resilience, stamina and confidence.
• Inclusion
  OPAL’s approach makes play better for every child, every day… no exceptions!
• Happiness and wellbeing
  Play is a human need and a human right. Children at OPAL schools report feeling happier and more excited about school.

As we continue to develop our playgrounds and play offer, we may be asking you for donations of a range of resources. Your children may get a bit messier, be exposed to more challenges and have greater freedoms to play where, with whom and how they like. The experiences the school is fostering are essential for children’s physical and mental wellbeing and are in line with all current good practice advice on health and safety, wellbeing and development. 

Currently, we would welcome donations of large t-shirts to wear over uniform so we can enable children to have the opportunity to engage in more messy play – such as painting – and any waterproof clothing you may have in good condition. We kindly ask for you to bring any donations to the main school office.

If you would like to learn more about the OPAL Primary Programme, please have a look at the OPAL website (www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk), where you will find lots of useful information and several videos about the programme.

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Key Stage 1 & 2

Key Stage 1

At the end of a child’s Reception class year, aged five, children progress onto Key Stage 1. In order to allow a smooth transition into Year 1, we aim to build on the skills, knowledge, experiences and achievements acquired in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Children in Key Stage 1 take part in daily literacy and numeracy lessons but continue to learn through a topic based approach. During the morning and afternoon playtimes, the children have the opportunity to play alongside peers across Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Due to the OPAL Play initiative, children are able to move freely across all of our playground areas during the lunchtime play period. This gives children the opportunity to mix with other children of all ages.

Please click here to view information on Year One Phonics Screening.

Key Stage 2

At the end of Year 2, aged seven, children make the transition into Key Stage 2. During this Key Stage, our children are taught life skills that help them to understand wider social issues such as tolerance and citizenship. All of our pupils are encouraged to take on greater responsibility for their learning and development and they are made increasingly aware of their learning goals and areas for further development.

Children in Key Stage 2 will continue to have daily literacy and numeracy lessons and will continue to mix with the other children in their year groups during morning playtime. They continue to mix with all age groups during lunchtime play as part of the schools commitment to the OPAL Play initiative. 

To find out more information about the National Curriculum, please click here.