“There is no better activity for learning and development than play.”
Doherty and Hughes, 2014
Research has shown that play makes up 20% of school life – the equivalent of 1.4 years of a child’s primary school life. To ensure that this time and our fantastic school grounds are used to their full potential, Easebourne Primary School follows the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Programme to allow the children the freedom to explore play through their own imaginative ways and play types.
Why are we following the OPAL programme?
Childhood has changed and many children no longer have their play needs met outside of school, with 56% of UK children only play outdoors with other children during school. On top of this, the average UK child has 5 hours screen time per day and only 5 hours outdoor play time per week.
There are many proven benefits for schools that are part of the OPAL Programme. As well as improving play experiences during the school day and allowing wider access to our amazing school site, research has shown that the OPAL Programme improves enjoyment of school, reduces the amount of teaching time lost to disputes between children, less accidents and greatly improved behaviour.
What does OPAL look like as Easebourne?
All children in the school (from Reception to Year 6) have the freedom to play where they choose outside at school during lunchtime play. A variety of zones, stations, equipment, activities and areas are available to the children and these may vary each day depending on what the children choose to do and the time of year.
Equipment and Zones could include (but are not limited to):
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Tyres and planks
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Mud Cafe and kitchen
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Small world (e.g. dinosaurs, cars, fantasy world)
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Scooters, bikes and other means of transport/travel
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Hoops, bats, balls, skipping ropes
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Performing (music, dressing up)
How do we keep the children safe during OPAL play?
Each area of play is supervised by the Play Team as part of ranging supervision. The Play Team are based at strategic points to ensure the safety of the children and carry out dynamic risk assessments to enable safe play.
Children are asked to be responsible for the equipment and tidying it away at the end of the session, and younger children are supported by older children in the school.
The OPAL Team (which includes Governors, Senior Leaders, Staff and Parents) regularly review the OPAL project to make sure it continues to be effective, safe and exciting for all children
Below is a link to our OPAL Play Policy, the Health and Safety Executives guidance around managing risk in play and Play England’s Managing Risk in Play Provision Guidance. These approaches underpin OPAL risk management and safety as an OPAL school.
How can you help?
Play is the process that enables children to learn all of the things that cannot be taught, while also having fun. There are certain things children must have in order to be able to play effectively. These include:
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Having appropriate outdoor clothing for us to use the site in all weathers (wellies and coats in school as all times)
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Having enough equipment and items to play with
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Having a certain amount of freedom
We will be continuing to develop the play opportunities for your children over the coming months and years, so you may find us asking for your support in securing resources, equipment and donations. We will also look to use more of the school grounds, for more of the year and therefore 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 well-being and health and in line with all current good practice advice on health and safety, well-being and development.