What is OPAL?
OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is a school program that encourages children to be creative and active during playtime. It's based on the idea that children learn through play.
Goals of OPAL
- Make playgrounds more engaging and fun
- Improve physical activity, socialization, and cooperation
- Reduce accidents and disputes between children
- Improve behavior
- Support sustainable cultural change within schools
OPAL activities
- Object play, such as playing with objects in new ways
- Communication play, such as singing, miming, and socio-dramatic play
- Rough and tumble play, such as testing strengths with objects
- Locomotor play, such as chasing, climbing, and jumping
Benefits of OPAL
- Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play
- Children feel more active, happy, and engrossed
- Children's self-esteem increases
Opal's vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions.
We completely endorse this vision - our aim is to ensure that all of our children experience at least an hour of high-quality play every day.
Our OPAL Team at Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School
Curricular leads for play - Mrs Harvey-Maw, Mr Taylor and Mr Wren
Play Coordinators - Mrs Pearman and Mrs Shirley
Parent Support - Mrs Pinnington-Auld
Play Governor - Mrs Ann Burges
How are we implementing this in our School?
We are currently underway with our exciting new project to make our playtimes even better, in conjunction with Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL). The intention is that it will change the way we think and how we play together, and it will enable us to maximise the amazing space we have here at Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School.
During the academic year 2024-25 we will ensure that staff have their initial training and then introduce the children to the concept of OPAL play. We launched OPAL at the start of term 5, with the children now playing at lunchtimes across the school site. The PTA has very kindly supported us with this project and is contributing to some of the resourcing.
How can you help?
The biggest impact you can have is on resources and time. Please keep a close eye on OPAL Newsletters where we will put up different resources that will help to enhance out play. At the moment we are not looking for anything new to be purchased - more toys and resources around the house and garden that are unused. Initially, we aim to send out a new resource every week and the sooner we have the resources, the sooner the children will be able to play with the items! Any contribution, however big or small, will be greatly received by the school staff - and of course, the children!
We will also be looking to build and set up different areas for the children for the rest of the academic year and are looking for some willing volunteers to help us with building, painting and helping in various ways. If you feel that you, or someone you know, can help in anyway please contact the OPAL team opal.play@bridge.kent.sch.uk
