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!
11am–12pm Introduction to OPAL
Hear about Prettygate’s OPAL journey and learn more about the OPAL Primary Programme.
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 Prettygate Junior School
Prettygate is a vibrant, forward-thinking primary school located in Colchester. In 2023, the school began its OPAL journey and proudly achieved an OPAL Platinum Award by 2025.
Prettygate’s play offer is truly outstanding, ensuring that every child enjoys a rich, engaging, and joyful playtime every single day. The school has developed an impressive range of play spaces and resources, including a large loose-parts store, a natural sandpit, a digging area, water play, den building, music, dressing-up, arts and crafts, a forest area, and a dedicated wheeled play zone.
The school’s strong and passionate play team, led by an exceptional OPAL working group, is dedicated to continually improving the play experience. Their efforts are supported wholeheartedly by both parents and the wider local community.
What sets Prettygate apart is the purposeful and enthusiastic engagement of every child during playtime. Whether it’s crafting a five-tier wedding cake in the messy café, building dens in the woodland, sculpting sandcastles at the beach, dressing up as Spider-Man, relaxing in hammocks, or pushing friends around in a buggy, every child is joyfully immersed in play they’ve chosen for themselves.
At Prettygate, play isn’t just encouraged, it’s celebrated.
Additional information
We will be indoors and outdoors; please come dressed for whatever the weather. OPAL schools play outdoors in all weathers.
The school will provide refreshments.
The visit will be led by Sam Fletcher.
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
