Our OPAL Journey

OPAL is an award-winning mentor supported school improvement programme, established, founded and directed by Michael Follet in 2011, author of 'Creating Excellence in Primary School Playtimes' JKP 2017. The programme addresses all the areas that schools must plan for, if they want to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities. OPAL is the only programme of its kind that has been indepedently proven to sustainably improve the quality of play in British primary schools. Its success comes from a series of interrelated actions undertaken with specialist support from an OPAL mentor. This embeds play into the school's policies and practices and establishes clear guiding principles and strategies for initiating lasting changes at playtimes. (www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk).

OPAL Parent Info

Parents' Play Pack

Make Time to Play

To give you a glimpse of what’s coming, we’d love you to watch this short video from another primary school already enjoying OPAL Play. You’ll see just how exciting and varied playtimes can become, and the huge benefits it brings to children’s wellbeing, relationships and learning.

We can’t wait to bring this same level of joy, freedom and creativity to our own playground. There are exciting times ahead—full of imagination, adventure and play for every child!

To find out more about OPAL follow this link https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/opal-programme/introduction/

We would like to say a huge thank you to the KFA for their generous support and funding.

The introduction of OPAL at our school has only been possible because of the funding provided by the KFA, and it is already making such a positive difference to the children’s play, creativity, and teamwork.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the KFA and our parent community — thank you for helping us create richer play opportunities for all our children.

JANUARY 2026

We are excited to be starting on our OPAL journey, with the aim over the next 18 months of developing our school site to provide the children with exciting playtimes.

We are having a 'soft start' this term, gradually introducing some new areas they can use at playtimes and teaching them the skills they will need to cooperate with each other, take care of the equipment and be experts at tidying up!

Each week, the children will have a play assembly where we will celebrate the great play that we have been observing, inform them of the new things being introduced e.g. equipment and loose parts, negotiate with them on how to develop the play and use the equipment safely, innovate and think of what to plan for next.

During this time we will give you a regular updates in the weekly newsletter and on Facebook, hopefully sharing some pictures to show how it is going as well as asking for any items that you may have lying around that you no longer need.

Areas being introduced in the Spring Term

LOOSE PARTS/DEN BUILDING

The loose parts and den building area is a highly imaginative and flexible space where children can use a wide range of resources to build dens, vehicles, assault courses, and many other wonderful creations. With no fixed outcomes, children are encouraged to plan, design, adapt, and problem-solve as their ideas develop.

This area supports creativity, teamwork, and resilience, as children collaborate, negotiate roles, and bring their imaginations to life using the available resources. By exploring and experimenting with loose parts, children build confidence, communication skills, and independence while enjoying open-ended, child-led play.

SMALL WORLD

The small world area offers a rich collection of resources that support children in developing their imagination through play. Children can create scenes, stories, and adventures, using the resources to bring their ideas to life in a meaningful and engaging way.

This area is also ideal for building friendships and practising social interactions, as children play alongside others, share ideas, and collaborate to create stories and games together. Small world play encourages communication, cooperation, and empathy, providing a calm and creative space for imaginative, social play.

STAGE/ROLE PLAY

Our role play and performance area provides children with the opportunity to express themselves creatively through costumes, music, and a dedicated stage space. Children enjoy dressing up, dancing, acting, and performing for others, using their imagination to create characters, stories, and shows.

This area supports confidence-building, communication skills, and self-expression. By performing individually or as part of a group, children develop teamwork, turn-taking, and empathy, while also gaining confidence in presenting to an audience.

DIGGING AREA

The digging area provides children with a dedicated space to explore, dig, and create freely. Here, children can enjoy making potions, mud pies, and imaginative creations using natural materials, satisfying their natural curiosity and love of messy play.

This area supports sensory exploration, creativity, and imaginative thinking, while also encouraging cooperation and shared play.

WHEELED PLAY

Our Wheelie Zone is an extremely popular area where children enjoy active, engaging play. It provides an excellent opportunity for children to use a wide range of wheeled items, including easy riders, suitcases, and pushchairs.

Wheeled play helps children to develop balance, coordination, and spatial awareness while building confidence and physical strength. It also encourages imaginative and cooperative play, as children create their own journeys, roles, and games together.

CREATIVE PLAY

The creative area on the playground provides children with a calm and inviting space for those who prefer a quieter, less active playtime. Here, children can choose to get creative using a wide range of craft and art resources.

This area encourages imagination, self-expression, and concentration, allowing children to explore ideas at their own pace. Children can design, make, and create freely, developing fine motor skills and confidence while enjoying a more relaxed play experience.

TYRES

The tyre play area is a versatile and exciting space where children can explore, create, and play in many different ways. Using the tyres, children can build seats, design obstacle courses, roll and move them, or invent their own games and challenges.

This area encourages physical activity, teamwork, and imaginative play. Children develop balance, strength, and coordination while problem-solving and collaborating with others.