In September 2026 we launched OPAL in our school. OPAL is a programme which aims to develop outdoor play and learning and improve social times in schools. More information about OPAL can be found on their website at OPAL.

We began by changing our lunchtimes so that it runs at the same time for everyone. We also opened up both the field and the playground every break time rather than restricting where the children can be. There are some rules around this - particularly when it is wet which may mean it is a welly day on the field! Parents have supported really well and most children have had wellies and waterproofs ready to go. We have also set up our OPAL working group which is made up of Mrs Newland as the curricular lead for play, Mr Jones as the play co-ordinator, Mrs Page as the play governor and Dr Wallis as the parent play champion. 

On 18th September we had our first whole school OPAL assembly. We thought about what OPAL is, introduced the 16 types of play to the children, chatted about what they would like to see and then went on to the most exciting bit - we introduced the first two elements we would be introducing outside from Monday. The first things we will be introducing are cardboard and chalk. The PowerPoint we used to introduce OPAL is contained below for you to have a look at if you want to find out more! In this assembly we also introduced the children who are going to be play leaders. Congratulations to them!

Phase 1: Cardboard and chalk 

The children are really enjoying playing with the cardboard and chalks which we have introduced in phase 1!

On 5th October we had our second OPAL assembly. We celebrated the great play we have seen with cardboard and chalk and the children reported how much they have been enjoying this. We have introduced the next area which will be opening today - this is the mud kitchen. Thank you to everyone who has donated items to help us get started with our mud kitchen.
The next area we are looking to open is a digging area. For this, we are currently looking for donations of small garden trowels. We will eventually introduce spades as well, but we need to ensure staff have completed the relevant module of the OPAL training first! If you have any garden trowels you would be willing to donate please drop them into the school office. To see the slides which were shared with the children, please click on the link below. 

On 12th October we held our third OPAL assembly. We celebrated the great things we have seen, particularly noticing excellent collaboration and real kindness between the children. We also introduced our latest addition - a digging area! We negotiated the rules of this area and it was opened today. If you have any small trowels you are able to donate we would be grateful to receive them! To see the slides which were shared with the children, please click on the link below.