What did you do at school today??
Before Opal - "...can't remember.... "
After Opal- "I rolled in a tyre down the hill, built a rocket ship with my friends, hunted for bugs in the bushes, chased bubbles, draw a chalk portrait on the playground, dangled from a tree, made mud pancakes, dug to the centre of the Earth. I can't wait to go back tomorrow!!"
Improved behaviour, better attendance, less first aid, and happy, engaged, children that thrive- if these sounds like things that you want at your school, go to
.uk to find out more.
We can't wait to start your Opal journey with you!
Fabulous parent feedback from a final audit at St Lukes First School in Redditch yesterday, beautifully illustrating the importance of a whole school culture change. "It would not be an overstatement that OPAL has transformed school for my daughter. OPAL has also helped her keep off screen time at home as she is willing to play outside (in all weathers!) It has been satisfying to see the school re-use and re-cycle so many items that we have finished with. I have been impressed in so many ways. It’s been great for her social development."
It’s no small undertaking to create an environment where 400+ children can truly play everyday.. An environment where there isn’t a scarcity of resources causing conflict, where there is sufficient challenge for both the youngest and oldest children. Where children can encounter risk, learn to assess it, mitigate it, and manage it for themselves.
An environment where adults are consistent in upholding agreements that have been developed alongside the children themselves. Where children take ownership by litter picking and tidying up after every play session. Where bump notes reduce from 10 a day to 6 a week because children are more engaged, more aware, and more capable.
Children building, creating, imagining, negotiating relationships, and navigating challenges on their own terms.
This is what happens when play is valued.
This is what happens when schools trust children.
This is what happens in an OPAL school.
If we want children who are resilient, creative, collaborative and confident, then we must create environments that allow them to become exactly that. Follow @outdoorplayandlearning for all the info 🙌
Make some super cool dens by bolting some tyres together. Add some tarpaulins and have loose parts close by.
Then stand back, and see what happens.....
#outdoorplay #primaryschoolheadteacher #opalschools #primaryschoolplaytime #den
The mud kitchens are ready for some budding chefs to whip up some fantastic creations in OPAL tomorrow! We have also outlined the digging area but this is still under construction and not ready to use yet. Watch this space! @opalwestmids Thank you Team 🤩
If you dig your own hole, you can make sure it's the perfect size to fit you and a pal.
(This is actually the start of a complex tunnel network, explained to me in great detail. They're going to dig caves and tunnels so they can pop home to get snacks, but they promise to return to school straight after).
#opalschools #sensoryplay #digging #mudplay #primaryschoolplaytime
Our line up is almost confirmed and tickets will be available by the end of the week for our first Play Makers Brum conference! With presentations from Professor Helen Dodd, Emma Bearman and Sarah Robbins, plus workshops from GLUE Collective, Ali Wood, ROAM Kids and The Springfield Project, it's shaping up to be a fabulous day! Birmingham, Friday 3rd July- Save the date!!
In a quiet, sheltered corner or the playground this artist found her space and chose her medium. She sat for ages whilst painting the chalkboard with water. The sun dried it quickly, she repeated the move, and developed her ideas.
Play isn't always big and noisy in a school playground. Sometimes it looks like this, and isn't that lovely
#creativeplay #waterpainting #outdoorplay #opalschools #primaryschoolplaytime
S A N D.....the ultimate loose part??
Sand is one of those things that is universally popular. It's great for proprioceptive input, sensory feedback, social play, change + control over your environment - all things which make it a winner for children.
#loosepartsplay #outdoorplay #opalschools #primaryschoolplaytime
Opening up school grounds and maximizing the play value on site is a priority of the Opal programme. Grass, mud, trees, flower beds and pathways, as well as the concrete playground, add up to become a rich play space.
This might look like a simple rack of wellies but actually it's a message that this space is for children- for them to run, climb, hide, stomp, splash in the puddles and to own the space.
A pair of wellies is an invitation to play 🥾
#opalschools
#opalplay
#primaryschoolplaytime
#primaryschoolteacher
#primaryschool
