At Moorlands Primary School, we believe that play is far more than just fun – it’s a vital part of every child’s learning journey. That’s why we’re proud to introduce OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), an award-winning programme that transforms our playground into an exciting space for creativity, exploration and growth.
OPAL is built on the principle that children learn best when they are active, engaged, and challenged in an outdoor environment. Through imaginative play, problem-solving, and teamwork, our pupils develop essential skills that support our school’s vision for learning:
- Communication: OPAL encourages children to talk, share ideas, and work together as they build, create, and role-play.
- Resilience and Ambition: Overcoming challenges and trying new things helps children develop confidence and a growth mindset.
- Cooperation and Collaboration: From building dens to inventing games, teamwork is at the heart of OPAL play.
- Personal Development: Independence, confidence, and self-awareness flourish as children take ownership of their play.
- Enterprise Skills: Planning, organising, and problem-solving during play nurtures creativity and resourcefulnesss.
We know how important play is for children. Through play, they develop physical skills, social confidence, resilience, cooperation, creativity, and—most importantly—enjoyment. Yet childhood has changed:
20% of time in school is playtime, this equates to the same amount of time spent on core subjects such as Maths."
Over half of UK children only play outside with others at school."
That makes playtime at school more important than ever.
Over the next 18 months, we’ll be working with OPAL to improve play at Moorlands. This may mean children using more of the school grounds year-round, having greater freedom in how and where they play, and sometimes getting a little messier, more active, and more adventurous!
We are really excited about this journey and believe it will make a huge difference to children’s wellbeing and school experience.
At Moorlands, OPAL play is more than just playtime – it’s an opportunity for every child to learn, grow, and thrive."