Play makes up 20% of children's primary school life. How do schools plan for this 20%? What are the roles of the play team?
This event is for anyone interested in joining the OPAL Primary Programme and improving playtime for the children at their school!
Agenda
11am–12pm OPAL introduction meeting
An introduction to the programme with time for questions. This is open to anyone considering how to make their playtimes amazing.
12pm–1pm Observation of playtime
Come and see a platinum OPAL playtime in action– ask the children about how they manage risk and the grown-ups about the changes they have seen.
About Brookside Primary School
Brookside is a primary school with approximately 320 pupils on roll (from nursery to Y6) located in a large village. It is a welcoming, friendly and inclusive school that has a local community feel. The school is set in extensive grounds with two playgrounds, a large playing field and a wildlife/forest school area.
Brookside believes that learning should be enjoyable, purposeful, and challenging for every student, allowing them to reach their full potential. Their aim is to equip each child with the necessary skills to become independent and confident learners. Brookside has outstanding play provision and achieved an OPAL Platinum Award in April 2025. The school has a large loose parts shed, a huge, natural sandpit, water play, den building, music, wheeled play, dressing up, arts and crafts, and a beautiful forest area. The play team is very committed to continually improving their play offer, led by a fantastic OPAL working group, and helped by their very supportive parents and local community. The level of purposeful engagement of every child at playtime is wonderful.
Additional information
Limited parking in the pub car park next to the school. There is further parking in the village.
The school will provide tea and coffee.
The visit will be led by Rachel Clark.
Only two tickets per schools please. If you can no longer come, please let us know so we can release your place to another school.
About the OPAL Primary Programme
The OPAL Primary Programme is an award-winning mentor supported school improvement programme that addresses all the areas that schools must plan for if they want to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities.
Find out more: www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk
