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OPAL

OPAL – Outdoor Play and Learning
At Cullercoats Primary School, we believe that play is a fundamental part of childhood, enriching children’s learning, development, and well-being. That’s why we are proud to be an OPAL school!

What is OPAL?
OPAL is a nationally recognised programme that helps schools improve the quality of play opportunities for all children. Developed by experts in play and education, OPAL encourages creative, active, and inclusive outdoor play, ensuring that every child has the chance to explore, socialise, and develop essential life skills through play.

The Benefits of OPAL at Cullercoats 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.

Play is Essential
Play is not messing about. It is the process evolution has come up with to enable children to learn all of the things that cannot be taught, while also having so much fun. There are certain things children must have in order to be able to play. These include:

  • Having clothes that they can play in
  • Having things to play with
  • Having a certain amount of freedom

As the school improves play opportunities for your children, you may find the school is asking you for resources and is making changes about how the children use the school grounds. They may use more of the grounds, for more of the year. Your children may get a bit messier, be exposed to more challenges and have greater freedoms to play where, with whom and how they like. The experiences the school is fostering are essential for children’s physical and mental wellbeing and are in line with all current good practice advice on health and safety, wellbeing and development.

Impact
The implementation of OPAL in our Primary School will have a range of positive impacts on children, staff, and the overall school community. These impacts will be evidenced in numerous ways, including:

  • Enhanced Well-being: The OPAL program will contribute to children's physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Regular engagement in outdoor play will encourage physical activity, improve fitness, and help combat sedentary behaviour. The opportunities for social interaction and collaboration will develop emotional intelligence and resilience.
  • Improved Attitudes Towards Learning: The outdoor play experiences provided through OPAL will foster a love for learning and curiosity among children. Through play, children will develop critical thinking skills, problem- solving abilities, and the capacity to take risks. They will approach learning with enthusiasm, demonstrating a greater motivation to explore and discover new knowledge.
  • Positive Social Interaction: The inclusive play environment created by OPAL will promote positive social interaction among children. They will learn to share, negotiate, and resolve conflicts collaboratively. The outdoor setting will provide opportunities for cross-age interactions, strengthening relationships within the school community and fostering a greater sense of belonging.
  • Increased Engagement and Achievement: Embedding OPAL within the curriculum will create a more engaging learning environment, resulting in increased levels of participation and achievement across subjects. The hands-on experiences and practical application of concepts learned outdoors will enhance children's understanding and retention of knowledge.
  • Stronger Connection to Nature: The OPAL program will cultivate a deep connection to the natural world, promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. Children will develop a greater appreciation for the outdoors, leading to a desire to care for their surroundings and engage in environmentally responsible behaviours both within and outside of school.
  • Parental and Community Involvement: OPAL will provide opportunities for parents and the community to engage with the school in meaningful ways. Involvement in the maintenance of the outdoor play spaces, volunteering in play activities, and participating in events will strengthen relationships, improve parental satisfaction, and foster a sense of shared responsibility for children's education and well-being.

By implementing the OPAL program at Cullercoats Primary School, with a clear intent, comprehensive implementation plan, and a focus on measuring impact, we aim to provide an outstanding outdoor play and learning experience for all our children, as recognised by Ofsted's inspection framework.

Our OPAL Playground
We have worked hard to create a stimulating outdoor environment that includes a variety of play zones, loose parts for imaginative play, natural spaces, and opportunities for children to explore and create their own adventures.

Join Us on Our OPAL Journey
We are committed to developing our outdoor play even further, and we welcome the support of parents, carers, and the wider community. If you’d like to get involved, donate resources, or find out more about OPAL at Cullercoats Primary School, please get in touch!

Together, we can ensure that every child experiences the joy and benefits of high-quality outdoor play.