Opal Play
What is OPAL?
Research has shown that children spend 20% of their time in school playing. To ensure that this time and our fantastic school grounds are used to their full potential, our school has adopted an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) philosophy that allows the children freedom to explore play in their own imaginative ways, often using found and gathered resources in the natural outdoor environment.
An OPAL approach promotes a more inclusive play environment in which all children can feel comfortable to express themselves. Our OPAL journey begins in January 2025 and we are starting to build up our resources and expertise to transform our outdoor environment. Our children will love the new outdoor opportunities that OPAL offers with so much more for them to do, no matter the weather! From playing with crates and dancing to our music, to enjoying imaginative play in the small world area or building the next Eiffel Tower in our construction area, OPAL offers an exciting alternative to the standard playground activities.
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, teamwork and problem solving. They are becoming motivated and enthusiastic builders, engineers, explorers and designers.
We are just at the start of our journey, but we know the positive impact this will have on our children and will work alongside what the children want to make this a rich, outdoor play and learning environment.
Why are we following the OPAL programme?
Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 31, play is a human right. All state parties have a duty to ensure every child has access to play.
The OPAL Primary Programme is the only programme of its kind that has been independently proven to sustainably improve the quality of play in British primary schools. Research shows that play contributes to children’s physical and emotional health, well-being, approach to learning and enjoyment of school. Given the importance of play in children’s lives and current concerns about children’s health and opportunity to access time and space to initiate their own play outdoors, there are considerable benefits for children, parents, school and the wider community from participating in OPAL’s programme.
How will it work at KNPS?
All children in the school (from Reception to Year 6) will have the freedom to play where they choose within the school grounds (outside).
A variety of zones, stations, equipment, activities and areas will be available to the children and these may vary each day depending on what the children choose to do.
Equipment and Zones could include (but are not limited to):
Tyres and pallets
Messy Cafe and kitchen
Small world (e.g. dinosaurs, cars, lego)
Mini-beast / plant exploring
Scooters, skateboards, bikes and other means of wheeled transport/travel
Hoops, balls, skipping ropes
Sports zone (e.g. football, netball, cricket)
Sand-play / sandpit
Crates, containers and cardboard boxes (e.g. for den building or whatever the children choose to do)
Tree climbing
Performing (e.g. music, drama, dressing up)
Each part of the playground will be supervised by Play Leaders so no child is ever out of sight or sound. Children are asked to be responsible for the equipment and tidying it away at the end of the session. Children are allowed to roam and so wellies and old outdoor coats are recommended (they then change into their indoor shoes when coming back to class).
The OPAL Play Team (which includes Senior Leaders, Staff and Parents) regularly reviews the OPAL project to make sure it continues to be effective, safe and exciting for all children. We will have a Play Assembly (at least once a half term) when Mr Atkinson will celebrate great play, introduce new activities or equipment, remind the children about any rules or expectations and present a ‘Golden Welly’ award for something outstanding that has been noticed during OPAL playtimes.
More information
You will be able to learn all about OPAL and watch several videos about the programme on the OPAL website:
KNPS Play Policy:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13sChyKy4nVPevRuGtQTG-jQHLgQpskg0jcbTakmI6KE/edit?tab=t.0

