OPAL - Outdoor Play & Learning

We are an OPAL PLATINUM school!

OPAL is a huge part of our school day at Pelton Community Primary School, and both children and staff look forward to getting outside to play, explore and develop together. The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Programme is focused on improving the quality of play for all children.

In July 2023 we were awarded a Platinum OPAL Quality Award for outstanding play times. The difference it has made is phenomenal. Children are happier, more sociable and resilient. As a result of the freedom and responsibility that comes with OPAL playtime behavioural incidents have dramatically reduced and children return to the classroom ready to learn. We have an abundance of play equipment that has been kindly donated by our community. Children have the opportunity to play on scooters, wheely boards and in our sand pits. They can perform with their friends on the stage using instruments and fancy dress clothes, build dens, look for nature in the tall grass or experiment in the mud kitchen. OPAL has not only improved the opportunities and experiences at break times, it has also had an impact on the children’s creativity, stamina and behaviour within school.

Although we are delighted to have achieved this award, we see this just as the start of the OPAL journey. We have many more ideas to make our play times the best they can be!

What is OPAL?

Research has shown that children spend 20% of their time in school playing.

Here at Pelton, we have adopted the OPAL (Outdoor play and learning) programme to ensure that all children use this time to their full potential. OPAL is built on the philosophy that all children should have an inclusive play environment which promotes imaginative play, risk taking and team work. Our children love the new outdoor opportunities that OPAL offers with so much more for them to do, no matter the weather!

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, team work and problem solving. They are becoming motivated and enthusiastic builders, engineers, explorers and designers.

We are very lucky to have such extensive grounds in our school and OPAL has ensured that they are being used to the best of their ability.

Golden Welly Award

The Golden Welly award has been introduced as an opportunity to celebrate the children and their amazing play. Children can achieve this award for using their initiative during play, outstanding behaviour, being a kind friend or showing good sportsmanship. Each week, a member of the Opal play team will be selected to identify a child to win the award. This child is then presented the Golden Welly in a special mention assembly.

OPAL after School Club

Following the success of OPAL during lunch and break times, we are now offering an OPAL afterschool club. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to access areas in a smaller group setting to build resilience and confidence. The after school club often work hard at ensuring our areas are up to scratch and support in developing new areas.

OPAL Parents Stay and Play

We recently invited our parents into school to witness our OPAL Play times in action. It was a huge success and both children and adults had an amazing time exploring the school grounds.

What our parents think:

“I think My child’s confidence has grown since OPAL. When we used to go to the park he wouldn’t go on anything.”