A photo of a child on a tyre swing at school.

Wishing our amazing community of #OPALSchools a fantastic Easter break. Thank you to everyone that has shared their OPAL playtimes this term and brought so much joy to our social feeds!

Celebrations at Worksop school recognised for outstanding play provision Redlands Primary and Nursery School in Worksop have been awarded the prestigious OPAL Platinum Award - becoming the first and currently the only school in Worksop to reach the milestone.

“Play is crucial to a child’s brain development and we are incredibly proud of the high quality play opportunities happening in our school." Headteachers Mrs Hollinger and Mrs Willford, Redlands Primary and Nursery School.

www.worksopguardian.co.uk/education/ce...

#OPALSchools

Princes Risborough Primary School celebrates highest possible national accolade with Platinum OPAL Award for outstanding outdoor play Princes Risborough Primary School, part of Great Learners Trust, has achieved the Platinum Award for OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), putting the school in the top 1% of all primary schools nationall...

“We are committed to ensuring quality play opportunities are available to all our children and believe that play is essential for physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development." Amy Howlett, Headteacher.

www.hemeltoday.co.uk/education/pr...

#OPALSchools

What a fantastic new film from the OPAL North East team, who also work across #Cumbria to bring children amazing playtimes every day. This is a must-watch for if you want to see how #OPALSchools get out to play when it’s wet and muddy!

Watch now, here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRb3...

Primary school becomes first in St Albans to achieve award for playtime provision Oakwood Primary School in St Albans has become the first in the district to achieve a platinum award for its lunchtime provision.

"This award isn’t simply recognition of a transformed playground; it reflects a genuine cultural shift and a deep belief that play truly matters." OPAL mentor, Louise Taffe

Congratulations to Oakwood and all the other recently awarded #OPALSchools!

www.hertsad.co.uk/news/2588959...

County Durham primary school collects fourth award for outdoor play Esh Winning Academy in County Durham has received its fourth Platinum Award for Outdoor Learning and Play following a successful re-accreditation.

"Our investment and commitment to outdoor learning and play has benefited the whole school community and our renewed status is testament to the hard work and dedication of our fabulous staff."

#OPALSchools

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2582014...

Pupils reimagine school playground playtimes with new ideas School pupils in Barrow are leading a project to reimagine breaktimes on the playground.

"We are excited to begin this journey and look forward to seeing the benefits for our whole school community."

Chetwynde Primary School embarks on their OPAL journey!

www.nwemail.co.uk/news/2577642...

#OPALSchools

School’s platinum recognition for outdoor play A New Forest school has been recognised for its exceptional commitment to transforming outdoor play for pupils.

It's always lovely to see #OPALSchools being celebrated for their commitment to playtimes!
www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/school-...

A child playing outdoors at school. They are in head-to-toe waterproofs and sitting on a sheet of plastic in a big muddy puddle.

Wishing our community of #OPALSchools a wonderful festive break. We look forward to working with you in 2026 to make sure every child has amazing play, every day!

School near Carlisle celebrates platinum play award A primary school near Carlisle has been awarded a platinum award for its playground.

One child said: "There is fun, but OPAL is fun on another level." 😍

www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2569822...

#OPALSchools

Gold standard playtimes as school wins award for outdoor activities The Applegarth Primary School in Northallerton has received a gold Outside Play and Learning (OPAL) award in recognition of its commitment to…

"Playtimes at Applegarth Primary School are truly amazing where creativity and imagination happens everyday, for every child." OPAL mentor Kate Gallon

www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/2565420...

#OPALSchools

Thousands of children benefit from reimagined play in schools programme OPAL North East is celebrating 10 years of improving children’s lives through play

"We are incredibly proud to be an OPAL school in the North East and we have been dedicated to providing high quality, inclusive play every day for 10 years."

Caroline Hodgson, headteacher at Esh Winning Academy.

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

#OPALSchools

Curious about OPAL? Come see... Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

#OPALSchools see dramatic improvements in behaviour, staff wellbeing, attendance, and much more. Want to see OPAL in action? Join us for one of our open days! www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

Children play outdoors at school. One hangs from a tree and another looks on, smiling.

#OPALSchools see dramatic improvements in behaviour, staff wellbeing, attendance, and much more. If you want to see an OPAL playtime in action, why not come along to one of our open days? You can browse events and book your free place, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

Three children holding up their muddy hands to the camera.

Wishing our community of #OPALSchools a happy half term 🥳

Gloucestershire primary school is first to win prestigious award four times A PRIMARY school has been awarded a prestigious platinum play award for the fourth time

"Huge congratulations to Blue Coat Primary School on their fourth OPAL platinum award. They are the first school in the country to achieve this. A big well done to the play team." Rachel Murray, OPAL mentor for the west of England.

www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/2545545... #OPALSchools

Primary school presented with top award for outdoor play programme New Marston School in Oxford wins the OPAL Platinum Play Award for excellence in outdoor play, child development, and wellbeing.

Always wonderful to see #OPALSchools being celebrated in their local media. Congratulations New Marston and all the other schools that received their awards before the summer break. www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2536436...

A child swinging on a rope and tyre swing in a school playground. They are smiling and looking at the camera.

The Primary PE and Sport Premium supports #PrimarySchools to sustainably improve the quality of the PE, physical activity and sport. Here is your guide on how you can use the #funding to improve active play in your school: bit.ly/4l2jxfX
#OPALSchools

A photo of children in the playground at school. They are wearing blue polo shirts and black trousers or shorts.

Amazing to see #OPALSchools flying the flag for always active uniforms across the ITV regions this evening, alongside our founder Michael Follett 🥳 Catch the story on ITV West Country (at 09:31): www.itv.com/watch/news/c...
#ActiveUniformAlliance

School recognised for its commitment to outdoor play A school has been recognised for its commitment to outdoor play.

"We believe play is a vital part of children’s development."

www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/2529794...

Congratulations to St Bernard’s and all the #OPALSchools that have recently received their awards 🥳

Primary school becomes first in town to get prestigious accreditation A Wollaston primary school has become the first in Stourbridge to be awarded a platinum OPAL accreditation.

Congratulations to St James’s CE Primary School and all the other amazing #OPALSchools that have recently received their awards 👏

www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/2526106...

#PlanForPlay #PlayMatters #PrimarySchools #Headteachers

Oxfordshire primary school 'thrilled' to receive award for outdoor play Glory Farm Primary School said it is "absolutely thrilled" to have received an award for its outdoor learning and play offering.

"Every child is engaged during unstructured time with an immense variety of activities including physical and sensory play." Charlotte Smith, assistant headteacher at Glory Farm Primary School.

#OPALSchools #PlanForPlay

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2523312...

Curious about OPAL? Come see... Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

Thinking about starting the OPAL Primary Programme in your school? Come along to one of our open days and see an OPAL playtime in action! www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a... #OPALSchools

Ackworth Howard School achieves OPAL Platinum Award for the second time Ackworth Howard School has achieved Platinum status in the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme – a programme that promotes a child’s health and wellbeing and is a mentor-supported schoo...

"We believe that play is essential for a child’s development, and this award demonstrates the positive impact that purposeful, outdoor learning has on both their wellbeing and academic success."

www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/education/ac... #OPALSchools

A group pf children playing outdoors at school. One child in the foreground is jumping in the air.

Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay to all our amazing #OPALSchools and to everyone making outdoor play and learning part of every child's day!

How are you celebrating?

“Pallets and bread crates that we use to build dens, forts and anything else we can imagine. We’re always inventing something new.”

A beautiful video to start your week from Meir Heath Academy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrob... #OPALSchools

A photo of children in the playground at school. They are jumping around and have smiles on their faces. A staff member is joining in and has their hands in the air clapping.

Happy #InternationalDayOfHappiness to all the amazing #OPALSchools that are bringing joy to children every day through play 🤩

Swapping screen time for play time - Warwickshire School puts play at the heart of curriculum St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, led by Head Teacher Laura Newell, is on a mission to put play at the heart of its curriculum.

“We believe that play is fundamental to a child’s development, and that’s why we continue to place it at the heart of our curriculum.” Headteacher Laura Newell.

Always great to see #OPALSchools hitting the headlines 🤩

www.warwickshireworld.com/community/sw...

At OPAL, we have a really simple mission - for every child to have an outstanding playtime every day, with no exceptions!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZfr...

#OPALSchools #PlanForPlay