At Robert Shaw Primary and Nursery School, we are proud to be at the early stages of implementing and developing our practice through the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme. A nationally recognised, research-informed approach that places high-quality play at the heart of children’s wellbeing, development, and learning.
OPAL is a mentor-supported school improvement programme that helps schools strategically transform playtimes by improving outdoor environments, resources, and adult understanding of play. It is built on the principle that play is not a break from learning, but a vital part of childhood development—supporting creativity, resilience, social skills, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing. Around 20% of our children’s time in school, is spent at playtime/lunchtime. Through OPAL, we are working to ensure that every child experiences rich, inclusive, and engaging play every day, whatever the weather.
This work is helping us to reimagine our outdoor spaces so that they offer greater freedom, imagination, and opportunity for all pupils. We are committed to developing a culture where play is valued as highly as any other part of the curriculum, and where children can explore, take appropriate risks, and build confidence through self-directed play.
As part of our continued development of OPAL, we will be introducing:
- Play assemblies
- Parent stay and play opportunities
- Community build opportunities
- Our Middays will be renamed ‘PlayTeam’
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