OPAL play
It has long been recognised that play is fundamental to a child’s health, happiness, development and well-being. Research has also shown that children spend 20% of their time in school playing. This led staff to reflect upon how playtimes could be improved in our school and in 2023 our OPAL journey began.
The OPAL vision is that “every child in every school has an amazing hour of high quality play every day” and as a school we share this vision and recognise the enormous benefits play has on a child’s life.
We have developed the OPAL approach and worked with our school community to improve our play provision. Our school grounds have been transformed to offer the highest quality play experiences whatever the weather.Our school site has been divided into zones and fundamental to our approach is that children have the opportunity to play wherever they want, with whoever they want. Children have the freedom to explore and play in their own imaginative ways using a wide range of available resources which are very different in each zone.Our outdoor areas are continually being developed and offer an even wider range of play opportunities.
The Benefits of OPAL at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School
By embracing OPAL, we are transforming playtimes into rich, engaging experiences that support our pupils in numerous ways:
•Physical Development – Outdoor play encourages movement, coordination, and strength-building, helping children to stay active and healthy.
•Social Skills – Playtime provides opportunities for teamwork, cooperation, and friendship-building, fostering a sense of community.
•Creativity and Imagination – Open-ended play encourages problem-solving, innovation, and imaginative storytelling.
•Resilience and Risk-Taking – Children learn to assess risks, develop confidence, and build resilience through their play experiences.
•Happiness and Well-Being – Outdoor play is proven to improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, making our school a happier place for everyone.
