OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning)

Here at Christ Church, we are passionate about play!

Over the last few years, we have engaged with the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) project – to make our lunchtimes even more exciting, and ensure that there is something for everyone, whatever their interests.

“All the research says time playing outdoors is time well spent. Children who play outdoors move more, sleep more, eat better, are happier and care about the planet more. They are even less likely to need glasses!”

Michael Follett (Director of Outdoor Play and Learning, OPAL)  

What is OPAL?

The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme is a mentor-supported school improvement programme. The programme supports us in strategically improving the quality of play opportunities for our children and ensuring sustainability.

Why OPAL?

Our rationale for choosing OPAL was simple – we wanted to make the most of our wonderful school grounds all year round and encourage our children to be energetic, creative and co-operative.  We also recognised how the pandemic, national lockdowns, and partial school closures had reduced children’s opportunities to socialise with their peers.  Our ethos of developing the whole child puts social interaction at the heart of what we do.  We viewed the OPAL project as a way of redressing the balance and providing children with richer, more meaningful ways of interacting with their peers and ‘catching up’ for lost time.  The development of social skills is crucial in providing children with a positive school experience and we are confident that our children – who now have a more purposeful, enjoyable and rewarding lunchtime experience – are fulfilled throughout every part of the day.  This enables them to be more receptive to learning inside and outside the classroom which fits our long-held belief that happy children learn best.  With this in mind, our mission has to be to ensure that every child experiences a happy playtime every day.

Take a look at out play policy here…

Play policy 2025

Click on the link below to watch how we launched OPAL…

The Lost Welly

OPAL Parent Newsletters:

• OPAL Parent Newsletter