🌿 Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) at Ayresome Primary School🌿

Our OPAL Team:

Curricular Lead for Play – Mrs Musson

Play Coordinator – Mr Corcoran

Play Leads – All lunchtime supervisors and TAs

OPAL Champion Governor – Miss Lunn

OPAL Parent Champion – Mrs Hussain

Site Supervisor – Mr Watson

Why Play Matters

At Ayresome Primary School, we believe that play is not a break from learning — it is learning. Through our partnership with the award-winning OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme, we are transforming our playtimes into rich, meaningful experiences that nurture children’s development in powerful ways. Children spend up to 20% of their school day playing. OPAL helps us make that time active, joyful, creative and inclusive.

What is OPAL?

OPAL is a nationally recognised, mentor-led programme designed to improve the quality of play in schools. It’s based on over 17 years of research and practice and is used in hundreds of schools across the UK, Canada and beyond.

The OPAL vision is simple and inspiring:

“Every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day.”

Why We Chose OPAL

Modern childhood is changing. Research shows that children today:

• Spend an average of 5 hours a day on screens
• Get just 5 hours a week playing outdoors
• 56% only play outdoors with other children at school

We want to change that. OPAL helps us reimagine what breaktimes can look like — from simple games and active challenges to mud kitchens, dens, loose parts play, and even construction zones. It’s about giving children freedom, choice, and varied play experiences in all weathers

The Benefits of OPAL

Since starting our OPAL journey, we’ve seen some amazing changes across the school:

✅ Happier, more active children
✅ Fewer accidents and behaviour issues
✅ Improved social skills, creativity and resilience
✅ Calmer afternoons with more time for learning
✅ Increased physical activity — for all children
✅ Stronger friendships and better emotional well-being

As one of our pupils said:

“Playtime is the best part of my day now. We can build, dig, play in the mud kitchen, race and play with everyone.”

What Our Playground Looks Like Now

Our school grounds are being transformed! Thanks to the creativity of our OPAL Play Team, we now have a range of exciting play zones, including:

• Nature and den-building area
• Small-World corner
• Climbing/Swinging Zones
• All-weather digging pit
• Scooter/ Go-Kart track
• Messy Café/ Mud Kitchen
• Water zone
• Eco Warrior Zone
• Sand Sheds
• MUGA
• Stage/Performance Zone
• Games Zones

There’s something for every child, every day.

What This Means for Parents

To support your child’s outdoor play, we ask that they come dressed for the weather — from sun hats and water bottles in summer to waterproof coats and spare socks in winter.

Your support makes this possible. Together, we’re building a culture where play is valued as essential to health, happiness, and learning.

Want to See OPAL in Action?

📹 Watch this OPAL School in Action
🔗 Learn more on the OPAL website