"We want children to have the freedom to be children – to follow their curiosity, get muddy, invent games, have adventures and experience the joy of playing together." www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/2660758... #OPALSchools

Gorse Covert Primary wins platinum play award with 99 per cent score

Gorse Covert Primary School in Birchwood wins a Platinum OPAL award with 99 per cent, recognising its inclusive outdoor play provision for local pupils.

warringtonguardian.co.uk

We love hearing from OPAL schools about how they have embraced play in all weathers. If you're curious about the impact, watch this lovely film from Brookside Primary School, which was filmed during a single winter playtime. youtu.be/PNs0yPBaSDU?...

OPAL winter play at Brookside Primary School

YouTube video by Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)

youtu.be

If you want to see an OPAL playtime in action, why not come along to one of our open days? As well as observing playtime, you will have the opportunity to hear from the school’s play team and learn more about the OPAL Primary Programme. Find one near you, here: www.eventbrite.com/cc/curious-a...

Curious about OPAL? Come see... by OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning CIC | Eventbrite

Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

eventbrite.com

Congratulations to West View Primary School and all the other schools that have recently received their OPAL award! www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/education/ha... #OPALSchools

Hartlepool school celebrates national award for play provision

A Hartlepool primary school has received a national award for its commitment to providing quality playtimes for children.

hartlepoolmail.co.uk

Fantastic to see Ash Lea Academy sharing their OPAL journey in the news this morning, supported by one of our fantastic mentors, Bobby Beaumont! Read more, below, and listen to Bobby on BBC Radio Nottingham here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (at 1:06:32). www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

SEND school embraces new 'risky play' scheme

A school in Nottinghamshire has signed up to a new programme that encourages creative playtimes.

bbc.co.uk

Our wonderful mentors hold open days in #OPALSchools across the country. If you’re interested in starting the OPAL Primary Programme in your school, find an open day near you here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

Curious about OPAL? Come see... by OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning CIC | Eventbrite

Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

eventbrite.co.uk

Welcome back to all the OPAL schools returning after the summer break. We're looking forward to working with you in this new school year to make every playtime amazing, for every child 💚 #OPALSchools #Playtime #Play #PlayMatters #PlanForPlay

“Children feel better and perform better after they have been outdoors. Getting outdoors helps children feel calmer, helps process their day and builds the holy grail of capabilities: resilience." Muddy Hands report What have you noticed when children play outside?

Play has so many benefits, which is why we want every child to have amazing play every day! What have you noticed when children play? Tell us in the comments 💚 #OPALSchools #Playtime #Play #PlayMatters #PlanForPlay

If you care about play, we need your help to get the #PlanForPlay petition to 100,000 signatures! Here’s how: 1. Sign the petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76... 2. Share this post. 3. Tag a friend in the comments. Together, we can make sure every child has amazing play every day!

Happy #Playday2026! To celebrate children's right to play today, we've rounded up our favourite tips for outdoor play at home in case you need a bit of inspiration to take you through the rest of the summer holidays! We would love to hear yours too. Share your best play tips in the comments!

Pinning down an exact definition of play is notoriously tricky. But, no matter how you define it, we know that real play happens when children get to lead the way. What’s your favourite way to describe play? Share your thoughts in the comments 💚

The #PlanForPlay petition has just reached 3,000 signatures! But, if we're to be in with a chance of getting this debated in Parliament, we need lots more! Please consider signing if you haven't already. And please share far and wide. Thank you 🤩 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

"We wanted to celebrate this success in a way that reflected what the award is all about, giving children and families the opportunity to play together, have fun and experience the amazing outdoor environment we have created. www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/2626294... #OPALSchools

Primary school celebrates award win with play event for children and families

Oasis Academy Warndon presented with the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Platinum Award for the second year in a row

worcesternews.co.uk

"Over the course of developing OPAL, the transformation in how the children play, manage their own risks and express themselves freely is an absolute joy to watch, it makes all the time and hard work totally worth it." www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/2625751... #OPALSchools

Two rural North Yorkshire primary schools among the country's best for outdoor play

The Federation of Snape & Thornton Watlass has achieved Gold Accreditation through the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme.

darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Hands up if you believe every child should have amazing play, every day! 🙌

"When schools prioritise high-quality outdoor play, they're not only supporting physical health, but also improving wellbeing, social skills, and readiness to learn back in the classroom." Marianne Young, Gunthorpe Primary’s OPAL play coordinator www.peterboroughmatters.co.uk/news/2623063...

Primary school wins top award for outstanding approach to play

A primary school in Peterborough has been recognised with a top award for its outstanding approach to play.

peterboroughmatters.co.uk

"Achieving OPAL Platinum status is a fantastic milestone for our school. We have seen first-hand how high-quality play opportunities help children build confidence, develop friendships and enjoy being active outdoors." Jessica Lott, headteacher. www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2621497...

Primary school in top two per cent nationally for excellent outdoor provision

Pupils showcased the variety of activities available during playtime and explained how the improvements have enriched their daily experience.

hampshirechronicle.co.uk

“We strongly believe in the benefits that play and outdoor learning can have on children’s development." Rebecca Turvey, Assistant Headteacher www.chad.co.uk/education/su... #OPALSchools

Sutton primary school achieves rare OPAL platinum status for its outdoor play and learning provision

St Mary Magdalene Primary School in Sutton is celebrating the news it has achieved a 100 per cent score and OPAL platinum status for its outdoor play and learning provision.

chad.co.uk

More than 2,000 people have now added their names to the #PlanForPlay petition. Will you join them? We’re calling on the Government to make planning for play a statutory requirement for every primary school. Sign and share: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

"It [OPAL] has been the single best school improvement initiative we have implemented in recent years." Tom Head, Executive Headteacher If you would like to see an OPAL playtime in action, we still have a few open days taking place before the end of term. More: www.eventbrite.com/cc/curious-a...

"I wouldn't say it's good for children, I'd say it's absolutely essential for children, and without it, it's not a proper childhood, and it's not a proper education." OPAL Director Michael Follett talking to ITV about the importance of play. www.itv.com/watch/news/n...

Happy #InternationalDayofPlay! Thank you to all the schools who have registered to celebrate today. We hope you have brilliant plans, and we can’t wait to see what you get up to! 1/2

This #InternationalDayOfPlay, we’re calling on the Government to make planning for play a statutory requirement for every primary school. Will you join us? Sign the #PlanForPlay petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

Sometimes the best way to understand the impact of investing in playtime is to see it in action. That’s why our team of mentors hold open days in #OPALSchools across the country. Find an open day near you in this Eventbrite collection: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a... #PlanForPlay

Curious about OPAL? Come see...

Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

eventbrite.co.uk

We hope you had a wonderful half term! What have our amazing #OPALSchools got planned for playtimes for the rest of the school year? Please share your highlights in the comments 💚

Researchers at Queen Margaret University are looking to hear from UK-based professionals, including teachers and early years practitioners, about their attitudes towards different types of nature play. 📋 Take part here: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/qmu/play-r...

Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay! We believe that outdoor play and learning are critical to a happy and healthy childhood. That’s why our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions. Find out more: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk

▶ The latest ep of Play Well podcast is out! We spoke with Margaret and Kerry at Baltasound Junior High School, and heard all about their journey as a Play Pedagogy Award pilot school and their insights into the impact of play on children in the primary years. www.spreaker.com/episode/54-b...

Children in OPAL schools self-report improved mental health. This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, find out more about the benefits of improving playtimes: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/evidence/ben...