Opal
At Oxenhope C of E Primary School, we believe play is a vital part of a child’s development, mirroring our school vision to provide “rich soil” that allows children to flourish. As part of this commitment, we have embraced the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme to ensure every child has an amazing playtime, every day.
What is OPAL?
OPAL is a mentor-supported school improvement programme designed to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of play. Children spend roughly 20% of their time at school in play (equivalent to 1.4 years of primary school), yet many modern childhoods lack opportunities for free, outdoor exploration. OPAL restores this balance by transforming school grounds into diverse, engaging environments.
Our Vision for Play
By embedding the OPAL ethos, we aim to:
- Encourage Independence: Providing a safe environment for risk-taking and self-discovery.
- Foster Creativity: Using “loose parts”—such as tyres, crates, and natural materials—to spark imagination and collaborative building.
- Improve Well-being: Boosting physical activity and mental health through joyful, child-led play.
- Develop Life Skills: Teaching resilience, problem-solving, and teamwork through the “laboratory” of play.
What This Means for Our Pupils
- More Freedom: Children have the freedom to explore the entire school grounds, regardless of age, encouraging a sense of community and mixed-age interaction.
- All-Weather Fun: We believe there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing. We ask that children have a pair of wellies and a sturdy outdoor coat in school every day so they can enjoy the outdoors year-round.
- Exciting Zones: Our playground is evolving into distinct zones, including active climbing areas, creative construction spaces, and natural areas like Blackwell Woods.
How You Can Help
The success of OPAL relies on a partnership with our community. We are always looking for donations of “loose parts” that can be repurposed for play, such as:
- Old tyres and wooden pallets.
- Crates, cable reels, and guttering.
- Dressing-up clothes and household items like pots and pans for mud kitchens.
For more information on the national programme, visit the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) website.
