Play and OPAL
Longwell Green knows that play is fundamental to children’s development and we are constantly striving to create an ever evolving top quality play environment.
When asked about play and lunchtimes, pupils rave about the range of activities, how there is always something fun to do and many will say this is in their top 3 reasons to love Longwell Green! We structure our approach to play at Longwell Green on the idea that as well as learning through good teaching, your children also learn when they play. Just like we work hard to make sure every lesson is top quality and worthwhile, we want to make sure that playtimes are just as first-rate.
We follow the ‘OPAL – Outside Play and Learning’ approach which aims to improve opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, co-operation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment through improved play.
The OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning Programme is the result of nearly 20 years testing and development in over 380 schools and is now used in Canada, France and New Zealand as well as across the UK. In 2018 OPAL won first prize in an EU funded award for the best active school’s programme in Europe and two UK national playwork awards.
At Longwell Green, we have found many benefits in our approach to high quality play which include: children enjoying playtimes much more, better concentration in lesson times as exercise increases focus, fewer accidents in the playground and improved relationships spanning all year groups, children being much more physically active, children more quickly developing independence, sharing and resilience skills as well as hugely improved social skills to name a few.
In addition to traditional school playground items such as basketball hoops and goals, in our playground spaces you will see:
- School provided scooters
- Outdoor kitchens
- A giant sand pit
- Outdoor gym equipment
- Climbing frames
- Tyres (yes – tyres, children love them to sit in, to build with, their imaginations are endless)
- A traversing wall
- Construction resources
- Small world games and toys
- Music being played
- Mini den pods
- Musical instruments
- A sensory garden
- And more…