Outdoor Play and Learning

OPAL is an award winning international school improvement programme which supports schools to take a strategic approach to play, helping them to develop key areas around leadership, policy, risk management, environment, staffing, resourcing and playwork training all of which leads to the transformation of school playtimes.

Key aspects of the OPAL program:

• Focus on Play as Learning:

  OPAL recognises that a significant portion of a child's time in school is spent playing, and this time should be used for learning and development, not just a break from lessons.

• Cultural Shift:

  The program aims to shift play from being seen as a gap in the school day to a strategically important and valued part of the curriculum, with benefits for both children and adults.

• Sustainable Change:

  Through mentor support and provided tools, OPAL helps schools embed lasting, sustainable changes into their policies and practices to create high-quality, amazing playtimes for all children.

• Areas of Focus:

  Schools participating in OPAL develop areas such as:

  • Access to Grounds: Creating varied and engaging natural spaces for play.

  • Play Equipment: Providing a wide range of equipment, from natural resources to items for creative play.

  • Playwork Practice: Ensuring children have the freedom, responsibility, and choice to direct their own play.

• Benefits for Children:

• More teaching time
  Most schools report ten 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 up to 80% decreases in use of behaviour policies and 90% drops in senior leadership time spent in 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's schools report feeling less stressed and happier, and more excited about school

• Evidence-Based:

  The program is based on over 17 years of research and practice and is implemented in hundreds of schools internationally.

What does OPAL look like at DHP?

Our Lunchtime Supervisors and teaching staff are fully on board with play and giving children the best opportunities for a fun and exciting playtime, they work collaboratively to become our school Play Ambassadors. All staff in school take part in getting outdoors with the children on a Rota. They will remain in am area to get to know the children who play there and look at ways to develop and enhance the play as the term progresses.

Zone 1

• Mixed Football

  Refereed by a member of staff with red and yellow cards to ensure fair game play we run a football match daily hoping to inspire the next generation of Three Lions and Lionesses.

Zone 2

• Construction and Tyre Play
  Supported by a Play Ambassador the children can use a variety of recycled tyres (car, bike go-kart) to construct whatever their imagination allows them. We have had a solar system, bus, taxi service, fairground ride.. the list is endless.

Zone 3

• Mud Kitchen and Digging Area
  Using large tools in our digging area the children can use their gross motor skills to dig and discover. Our Mud Cafe has an invitation for lots of play types from imagination to sensory to creativity and all in between.

Zone 4

• Obstacle Course and Free Play
  A selection of toys available which change regularly. Obstacle course equipment available both as a self select and a pre-made course, a wonderful way for the children to work collaboratively and creatively.

Zone 5

• Wheeled Play
  Using helmets to ensure safety the children have access to a defined track where they can scoot, cycle and skateboard.

Zone 6

• Sports games
  These opportunities will differ week upon week. We change the sporting activity as per pupil interest, including tennis, basketball, volleyball and badminton.

Zone 7

• Music, Dance, Crafts, Fancy Dress
  A space for the children to unleash their creativity and express themselves through the arts.

Zone 8

• The Bank
  Whether it be rolling, running, sliding the children will always find a fun way to travel and play using the grassed slope, also a great hang out space for those children seeking a more relaxed playtime to chat with friends.

Rileys Relaxation Retreat

This is an area we are particularly proud of at DHP.
We are so incredibly fortunate to have staff members trained in counselling, coaching and mindfulness. A wonderful way to provide more children access to these amazing skills by spending time in our relaxation retreat practicing yoga, meditation and having sensory play supervised and supported by professionals.

You can find more information regarding OPAL in our Play Policy: