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 Introduction
Hear from the headteacher and the curricular lead for play about Pear Tree Mead Academy's OPAL journey and learn more about the OPAL Primary Programme.
12pm–1:30pm Playtime observation
Come and see an OPAL playtime in action – ask the children about how they manage risk and the grown-ups about the changes they have seen.
About Pear Tree Mead Academy
Pear Tree Mead Academy is a two-form entry school in Harlow. They embarked on their OPAL journey in November 2023 and were awarded their OPAL Platinum Award in May 2025. Initially, the focus of the programme, was to support a number of KS1 pupils with SEMH needs. This proved to be so successful that the OPAL Primary Programme then expanded further to cover all areas of the site, ensuring all pupils had equal access to a rich and fulfilling play offer, every single day.
Pear Tree Mead Academy boasts over 30 play zones across the site! This offer includes a huge sandpit and digging area, a mud kitchen and village, a wheeled zone, a large water play zone, small world areas, an extensive loose parts zone, the ‘Hide-Away’, a museum area, a stone and pebble area, a football, sports and activities area, plus a stage with music and dressing up. There is a passionate commitment to continue to develop and enhance playtimes further, with all staff, children and parents taking an active role.
Additional information
There is limited parking at the school but plenty of free parking available on the surrounding streets.
Tea and coffee will be available but please bring your own lunch.
The visit will be led by Nicola Barrett (OPAL South East England Ltd).
Only two tickets per school. 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
