Belmont Community Primary School
Introducing OPAL
We are very excited to be starting a journey to improve our children’s lunchtime play through the use of OPAL - the Outside Play and Learning Primary Programme! Tested and developed over the last 20 years in over 2000 schools around the world, it is based on the idea that, as well as learning through good teaching, children also learn when they play. Importantly, it has proven to be lots of fun, with children enjoying school more, having fewer disputes and accidents and greatly improved behaviour.
To enable us to be ready for the launch after half-term, we have asked all of our families to complete a parent baseline survey. It should only take around 5 minutes to complete and will help us greatly in assessing the success of the programme. Details are on the ParentMail sent home.
OPAL play involves everyday objects along with specific toys, giving children an opportunity to play in a variety of ways, including being creative and using their imagination. Children may use more of the school site for more of the year, get a little messier, experience more challenge and uncertainty, and have greater freedom to choose where, how and with whom they play. The school will manage this through a risk-benefit approach, maintaining a safe enough environment while preserving the important benefits of play.
OPAL Bingo
To further help us in setting up the programme, we are asking for donations of equipment for the children. OPAL Bingo is the format we are using to collect the items. Full details have been sent home via ParentMail but can also be found here on the website by visiting our OPAL page.
Over the next 18 months, parents and carers will be invited to events to see what is happening for themselves and have the opportunity to join in too!
We are really excited about this project and hope that everyone will support us in our efforts to improve playtime for all children.
Best wishes
Mr Togher
(OPAL Curricular Lead)
