What is OPAL? (Outdoor Play and Learning)

We are very excited to have begun our journey with OPAL – the Outdoor Play and Learning Programme. OPAL helps schools improve the quality of play so that children enjoy richer, more active and more imaginative playtimes. with improve opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, co-operation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment The programme runs over 18–24 months, and we will keep you updated as our play provision continues to grow and develop.

OPAL has been developed over 17 years and has been used in more than 250 schools across the UK, as well as in Canada and New Zealand. It has won awards, including an EU prize for the best active schools programme in Europe. The approach is based on the understanding that children learn not only in lessons, but also through play – and because playtime makes up around 20% of a child’s school life, we want that time to be the very best it can be.

Why Are We Introducing OPAL?

Childhood has changed, and many children now spend far less time playing freely outdoors.
For example:

• Average daily screen time: 5 hours
• Average outdoor play time per week: 5 hours
• 56% of UK children only play outside with other children during school playtimes

OPAL aims to address this by ensuring that every child gets valuable opportunities for active, creative and social play every day.

Schools that use OPAL typically see:

• Happier playtimes
• Fewer disagreements and less lost learning time
• Improved behaviour
• More physical activity and better social interaction

Why Play Matters

Play is far more than “just” fun—it is essential for children’s development. Through play, children build:

1. Learning Skills

Play helps develop problem‑solving, early maths, new vocabulary, imagination, and creativity.

2. Physical Health

Active play helps children build strength, coordination, and resilience, and supports a healthy lifestyle.

3. Emotional Well‑being

Play is joyful and reduces stress. It helps children express themselves and manage emotions.

4. Social Skills

Play helps children learn to share, co‑operate, take turns, negotiate and build relationships.

5. Real‑World Understanding

Through role‑play (e.g., playing shops or building dens), children practise real‑life skills in meaningful ways.

6. Freedom to Explore

Play gives children space to try ideas, take manageable risks, and learn through discovery.

How OPAL Links to Our School Values

Best Learner

OPAL strengthens children as learners by giving them rich opportunities to develop creativity, independence, resilience and problem‑solving through play. Because OPAL transforms playtime into an active learning environment, children practise the skills they need for the classroom—such as cooperation, imagination, communication and perseverance. They learn to take manageable risks, plan, build, design, adapt and try new ideas, which mirrors the behaviours of successful, motivated learners. OPAL also improves wellbeing, which increases focus and readiness to learn back in class.

Best Friend

OPAL supports children to be the best friend by giving them daily opportunities to play together, build relationships and develop social skills. Mixed‑age play, shared resources and imaginative spaces encourage children to work as a team, include others, resolve disagreements and communicate kindly. Because play is varied and open‑ended, children learn empathy, turn‑taking and how to support younger or less confident peers. These skills transfer directly into classroom relationships, helping build a happy, respectful school community.

Best Citizen

OPAL helps children become the best citizen by teaching responsibility, respect and community values. Children learn to look after equipment, care for shared spaces and make positive choices in their play. Through activities linked to nature, the environment and sustainability, OPAL reinforces the idea of citizenship—helping children understand their role in caring for the world around them. It also reflects the wider aims of OPAL’s international model, showing children how communities across the world use play to grow healthy, confident and responsible young people.

How Parents Can Help

As OPAL develops, you may see some changes:

• Children may go outside in all weathers and use more areas of the school grounds.
• They may get a bit messier—and that’s okay!
• They will use a wider range of play equipment and loose parts (e.g., crates, tyres, fabric, boxes).
• The school may ask families for safe, usable resources to support creative play.

To help your child get the most from OPAL, please ensure they have:

• Clothes and footwear suitable for outdoor play
• A coat and warm layers in colder weather
• A willingness to get muddy, sandy, wet or messy sometimes!

These experiences support children’s mental and physical health and follow national good‑practice guidance in development, safety and well‑being.

Find Out More

You can learn more about OPAL, and watch videos showing the impact it has on schools, at the OPAL website: www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk