OPAL
What is OPAL?
Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) is a programme to improve opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, cooperation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment through improved play.
What are the benefits of OPAL?
The OPAL Programme rationale is that: “More active and creative playtimes can mean happier and healthier children, and having happier, healthier, more active children usually results in a more positive attitude to learning in school, with more effective classroom lessons, less staff time spent resolving unnecessary behavioural problems, fewer playtime accidents, happier staff and a healthier attitude to life”.
Why are we going to do OPAL?
Play is a one of the most critical processes of childhood and is essential in the healthy physical, mental and social development of all children.
Out of the 7 years spent at primary school, 20% of that is lunchtime. That time is largely adult-driven and space restricted.
We want all of the children to use all of the grounds all of the time.
We want the children to be able to freely choose the social play that makes them happy 😃
How are we going to do it?
We are going to give the children a wide range of different play opportunities to enable them to find the play type that makes them happy. 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.
When is it going to start?
We will be starting in January.
Children will need a pair of wellies and a waterproof coat to be able to access all the areas of play.
Items that we need
Here are some ideas of what we are trying to achieve.
What can you do to help?
As well as continuing to donate your items from the above lists, we are going to need some practical help.
We want to build some benches for the children to sit on while they are putting on their wellies on and off.
We would like to build a mud kitchen/messy cafe.
Can you donate some time and DIY skills to help us create some wonderful play experience for the children.
If so, please contact Mr Devenport or Miss Welch.