OPAL – Outdoor Play and Learning

Platinum Award School

We are incredibly proud that St Francis Catholic Primary School has achieved Platinum status for OPAL – Outdoor Play and Learning.

This prestigious award places St Francis within the top 1% of UK schools for the quality of play provision offered to children.

“St Francis Catholic Primary School has just achieved Platinum award status from OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning. This means that they are in the top 1% of UK schools for the quality of the play they provide for all their children.”

Michael Follett BA Hons Ed, PGCE
OPAL Founder and Director

Why Play Matters

At St Francis, we believe that high-quality play is an essential part of a child’s development.

As an OPAL school, we provide pupils with rich and varied opportunities to:

• explore and discover

• develop creativity and imagination

• build physical confidence and coordination

• solve problems and take appropriate risks

• work collaboratively with others

• play independently

• develop resilience, communication and social skills

Our play provision reflects the principles of Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognises every child’s right to rest, leisure and play.

Play at St Francis

Our outdoor spaces are designed to encourage children to make choices, be active and engage in meaningful play.

Children may take part in activities such as:

• construction and den building

• imaginative and role play

• physical and active play

• creative activities

• collaborative games

• independent exploration

These experiences help children develop confidence, independence and positive relationships with others.

Supporting Wellbeing

High-quality play contributes significantly to children’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Through OPAL, playtimes are an important part of the school day, providing opportunities for children to relax, socialise, be creative and develop important life skills.

This positive approach to play supports our wider aim of enabling every child to flourish at St Francis.

About OPAL

OPAL – Outdoor Play and Learning – is an award-winning school improvement programme that helps schools develop the quality, organisation and impact of their play provision.

Achieving Platinum status recognises the school’s commitment to continually reviewing and improving areas including:

• leadership and policy

• planning

• resources

• staffing

• the use of outdoor spaces

• evaluation of play provision

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