Dean Barwick Primary School

What is OPAL? Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) is a community interest company (CIC) dedicated to providing services to schools and organisations in England and Wales to improve the quality of play opportunities for all children. OPAL staff have expertise in teaching, school improvement, landscape design, project management, play and strategic planning.
The OPAL Primary Programme offers schools a structured process, with mentored support provided for up to two years and many resources, to enable schools to permanently change both their environment and their culture to enable provision of amazing playtimes every day. To date, OPAL has run programmes in over 1000 schools throughout the whole UK.

What are the benefits of the OPAL Primary Programme?
More teaching time
Most schools report 10 minutes more teaching time per teacher with happier, more creative, and well exercised children who settle to classes much more quickly.

Improved behaviour
OPAL schools report an 80% reduction in the use of behaviour policies and a 90% reduction in senior leadership time being spent resolving playtime issues.

Faster core skills development
Children at OPAL schools rapidly develop creativity, imagination, cooperation, resilience, stamina and confidence.

Inclusion
OPAL's approach makes play better for every child, every day... no exceptions!

Happiness and wellbeing
Play is a human need and a human right. Children and staff at OPAL schools report
feeling less stressed, happier, and more excited about school.