Research has shown that children spend an enormous 20% of their time in school outside for playtime. At Outwoods Edge, we want to ensure that this time is used to its full potential. We are very lucky to have fantastic school grounds which we want the children to be able to fully enjoy in as much of the British weather as possible! In 2021, we embarked upon a journey to develop our playtimes with OPAL, which stands for Outdoor Play and Learning. We are still early in our development, but we have already made great strides into making our play times even better!

Here at Outwoods Edge, we value play and all that it can bring to a child's development. We believe that play can develop many of the character strengths we teach and value through our curriculum - the Outwoods Way.

What does OPAL mean for us?

• Happier children who enjoy their playtime more!

• Children coming into class after playtime ready to learn

• A fully inclusive playtime which everyone can enjoy

• Our children develop their independence, problem solving skills and resilience

• Our children develop their social skills through negotiation and different types of play

• Our children have more opportunities to be creative, take risks and make decisions

We have a team of Play Leaders, made up of adults and children, who support children to develop their play. This team is led by Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Thirlaway.

With the support of our OPAL mentor, we have developed our Play Policy.

For more information, visit https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/