OPAL

Here at St Alban’s, we believe that play is an essential part of childhood, which supports children’s learning, development, and well-being. That’s why we are proud to be an OPAL school! 

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OPAL

OPAL is a nationally respected initiative that helps schools enrich play opportunities for every child. Designed by play and education experts, the programme inspires creative, energetic, and inclusive outdoor play, enabling children to explore, make friends, and develop key life skills in a fun and meaningful way.

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The Benefits of OPAL at St. Alban’s Catholic Primary School

By adopting the OPAL approach, we are enriching our playtimes to create vibrant, meaningful experiences that benefit our pupils in many ways:

• Physical Development – Outdoor play promotes movement, coordination, and strength, helping children to stay active and maintain healthy lifestyles.

• Social Skills – Playtime offers valuable chances for teamwork, cooperation, and forming strong friendships, helping to nurture a caring and inclusive school community.

• Creativity and Imagination – Open-ended play sparks curiosity, problem-solving, and imaginative thinking, encouraging children to explore their ideas freely.

• Resilience and Risk-Taking – Through play, pupils learn to evaluate risks, gain confidence, and build resilience as they try new challenges in a safe environment.

• Happiness and Well-Being – Outdoor play has been shown to lift mood, reduce stress, and support emotional well-being, helping to make St. Alban’s a joyful and thriving place for everyone.

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Play Matters

Play isn’t just “free time” — it’s how children learn about the world, develop new skills, and build confidence while having fun. It’s one of the most powerful ways for children to grow and thrive.

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For children to truly benefit from play, a few things are essential:

• Comfortable clothes that allow them to move freely

• Access to a variety of things to play with

• Time and space to explore and make choices for themselves

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As we continue to enhance play opportunities, you might notice some exciting changes around the school. The children may start using more of the outdoor areas throughout the year. They might come home a little muddier, take on new challenges, and enjoy more freedom to decide where and how they play.

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These experiences are a vital part of healthy childhood development. They support physical activity, imagination, teamwork, and emotional wellbeing — all in keeping with current best practices in education, safety, and child development.

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Impact

The implementation of OPAL at St Alban’s will bring a wide range of positive impacts for pupils, staff, and the wider school community. These outcomes will be visible through several key areas:

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Enhanced Well-being:
The OPAL approach will support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of all pupils. Regular outdoor play will encourage movement, improve overall fitness, and reduce sedentary behaviour. Through active, imaginative play and teamwork, children will develop resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence.

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Improved Attitudes Towards Learning:
Outdoor play through OPAL will inspire curiosity and a love for learning. Pupils will have opportunities to problem-solve, take creative risks, and think critically in a hands-on environment. This approach will encourage greater enthusiasm for school life and increase motivation to explore new ideas and challenges.

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Positive Social Interaction:
The inclusive and flexible play opportunities created by OPAL will nurture positive relationships across the school. Pupils will learn to collaborate, share, and resolve conflicts constructively. Mixed-age play will strengthen peer relationships and help foster a sense of unity and belonging within the Riverside community.

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Increased Engagement and Achievement:
Integrating OPAL into the wider curriculum will promote active engagement and higher participation levels across all areas of learning. The practical, experiential nature of outdoor play will reinforce classroom concepts, improving understanding, confidence, and academic outcomes.

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Stronger Connection to Nature:
The OPAL program will help children build a meaningful connection with the natural environment. Regular time outdoors will deepen pupils’ appreciation of nature, encouraging respect for the environment and responsible, sustainable behaviours both in and out of school.

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Parental Involvement & Engagement

OPAL will create valuable opportunities for parents, carers, and community members to take an active role in school life. Whether through supporting play developments, volunteering, or attending outdoor events, this involvement will strengthen partnerships and promote a shared sense of pride in the school’s vision for play and learning.

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By embedding OPAL within St Alban’s School ethos, and with a clear intent, structured implementation plan, and a strong focus on measuring impact, we aim to create an exceptional outdoor play and learning culture—fully aligned with Ofsted’s expectations for a rich, balanced, and inclusive curriculum.

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Our OPAL Playground

At St Alban’s Primary School, we have worked hard to develop an exciting and dynamic outdoor environment that inspires creativity, exploration, and adventure. Our playground includes a range of play zones and loose parts that encourage imaginative play, problem-solving, and collaboration. Every child has the opportunity to create, discover, and enjoy play in their own unique way.

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Join Us on Our OPAL Journey
We are passionate about continuing to develop and enrich our outdoor play provision, ensuring every child at St Alban’s experiences the joy and benefits of high-quality play. We warmly welcome the support of parents, carers, and our wider community. If you’d like to get involved, donate materials, or learn more about OPAL at St Alban’s Primary School, please get in touch—we’d love to hear from you!