Here at Awsworth Primary and Nursery School, we are committed to ensuring quality play opportunities are available to all our children. We believe that play is essential for physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development of each child. Most of our best childhood memories are from playing outdoors, climbing trees and exploring the wide world around us. OPAL gives us the opportunity to give those memories to your children. OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is all about using naturally and man made resources to allow children to be inspired and creative at playtime.
What is OPAL?
Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) is a community interest company (CIC) dedicated to providing services to schools and organisations in England and Wales to improve the quality of play opportunities for all children. OPAL staff have expertise in teaching, school improvement, landscape design, project management, play and strategic planning.
The OPAL Primary Programme offers schools a structured process, with mentored support provided for up to two years and many resources, to enable schools to permanently change both their environment and their culture to enable provision of amazing playtimes every day.
Why chose OPAL for Awsworth?
Our whole Learning for Life curriculum sits on three core branches; Knowledge and Skills, Wellbeing and Personnel Development. OPAL will sit centrally and enhance what we currently do at Awsworth, enabling our children to thrive.
More teaching time
Most schools report 10 minutes more teaching time per teacher with happier, more creative, and well exercised children who settle to classes much more quickly.
Improved behaviour
OPAL schools report an 80% reduction in the use of behaviour policies and a 90% reduction in senior leadership time being spent resolving playtime issues.
Faster core skills development
Children at OPAL schools rapidly develop creativity, imagination, cooperation, resilience, stamina and confidence.
Inclusion
OPAL’s approach makes play better for every child, every day… no exceptions!
Happiness and wellbeing
Play is a human need and a human right. Children and staff at OPAL schools report feeling less stressed, happier, and more excited about school.