This is a public open day, which we would normally hold in an award winning OPAL school, but this year we are online, global and open to all.

Playtime in primary schools is more important than ever as children struggle to reintegrate with friends, feel safe and connect back with the natural world after the various restrictions that have been placed on their lives because of COVID-19.

The OPAL Primary programme is a complete transformation in the way play opportunities across the school day are planned for and understood. It is more than ‘playtime buddies’, more games or a big investment in a new climbing frame. Consequently, it transforms children’s outcomes across the board.

Ten school leaders from award winning OPAL schools across England and Canada will share their experience in a series of three minute long briefings. You will hear from inner city schools, sprawling suburban schools and tiny rural ones. Some have recently started their OPAL journey, some have been investing in playtimes for over ten years. They are all passionate advocates for the power of playtime.

You will also hear from Jayne Molyneux, Sport England’s Director of Children and Young People and sponsor of this event, on why playtime is now a part of the Sport England strategy, and from Michael Follett, the founder of the OPAL Primary Programme.

Finally you will have the chance to share your stories and put questions to the panel.

You are guaranteed to take away information that will help you improve your school, whether you are looking for ideas for children returning from lockdown or want to improve children’s play opportunities - and therefore their outcomes - for the long term.

Panellists

• Michael Follett - Outdoor Play and Learning CiC Founder and Director
• Cath Prisk - CEO Outdoor People / OPAL Mentor (Chair)
• Jayne Molyneux - Director Children and Young People, Sport England
• Keith Barr and Anna Jeffrey - Kender Primary School, London
• Dan Fisher - Kensington Community School, Toronto
• Sarah Kirby - Rudyard Kipling Primary School, Brighton
• Steve Ellis - Boughton Heath Academy / Cheshire Academies Trust, Chester
• Antje Kell - Hull Collegiate School, Hull
• Owen Wilder - Trinity C of E School, Exeter
• Rob Francksen - Crawford's C of E Primary School / Bardwell CofE Primary School, Suffolk
• Rachael Nicholls - Audley Primary School, Caterham
• Avinash Mani - Crescent Town Elementary School, Toronto
• Damien Jordon - Fairlight Primary and Nursery School, Brighton City Partnership for Education (BCPfE), Brighton
• Clare Green - St. Michael’s Junior Church School, Bath

What is the OPAL Primary Programme?

OPAL is an award-winning programme that helps schools improve children’s play experiences. It was developed over the last 20 years by Michael Follett, previously a teacher, a playworker and a school’s advisor. In short, the programme helps your school invest in play in the same way you plan for literacy, maths or safeguarding. Over 500 schools worldwide have gone through the OPAL Primary Programme so far, and they all see improvements in children’s confidence, independence, resilience and happiness, amongst others. These capabilities are critical to ensuring our children have a happy transition back into school now and are ready to face the many challenges in their future.

Find out more:

www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk

Twitter - @OPAL_CIC

Facebook - @OpalOutdoorplay

Many thanks to Sport England for funding this event.