O.P.A.L. (Outdoor Play and Learning)

OPAL in Action

All children have a right to relax and play and to join in a wide range of activities (Article 31).

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

At Burnhope Primary School, we promote children’s rights, from the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. We see children’s rights as a central focus in all we do.

Through our belief in children’s rights, we aim to provide a secure, caring environment where all children are happy, intrinsically motivated, relaxed and able to reach their potential.

Since the autumn term 2017, we have been working alongside OPAL to develop quality play opportunities that are available for all children.

As a school, we aim to improve the way we think about play and provide opportunities for play. We believe that play is essential for physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development.

Children spend 1.4 years of their primary school attendance in playtime. This time is valuable and needs careful planning.

Different Play Types

The contribution of play to educational development is suggested through the inherent value of different play types e.g. through risk taking and exploratory play in formal and informal settings, allowing children to experiment, try new things and push their boundaries.

Our school aims are:

to provide children with a play setting which is enjoyable, stimulating and challenging;
to allow children to take risks;
to provide children with a range of play opportunities which will support children’s learning across the curriculum and about the world around them.

Not only do we aim to provide more valuable play experiences but we also celebrate (in weekly OPAL assemblies) play for those who have shown good teamwork, resilience, creativity and creative ideas.

Enjoy browsing the photos of happy children enjoying their quality play experience.

Burnhope Play Policy June 2020

OPAL Risk-Benefit assessment June 2020