Central Walker CoE Primary School is approaching a platinum OPAL award for their commitment to improving the experiences of children and their access to play facilities at school.
The OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) program provides a clear structure on how to transform the play experiences of children attending the school. OPAL works with primary schools across the country to improve the quality of play during school.
Here at Central Walker, we have developed a number of key areas for children to engage with:
- Mud kitchen
- Loose parts
- Reading shed
- Climbing
- Scooters
- Bikes
- Sand
We plan to continue expanding this list in the summer term but we’re already seeing huge benefits to both our children and our staff. Children are overall happier and more active!
Using the OPAL program gives our children opportunities to develop the different types of play they need to encounter, explore and make sense of the world and their place within it. They can test ideas, apply them in the physical world, making learning real and discoveries meaningful.
At Central Walker children are able to access OPAL during their playtimes, in an after school club or during curriculum outdoor learning.
