We are delighted to announce that St Paul’s CofE Primary School has been awarded OPAL Platinum, the highest level of accreditation from the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Programme.

OPAL works with schools across the country to transform playtimes, recognising that play makes up around a fifth of a child’s time in school and deserves the same care and planning as time in the classroom. Achieving Platinum status recognises that high-quality play is now firmly embedded in the life and culture of our school.

Over the course of our OPAL journey, playtimes at St Paul’s have been transformed. Our children now enjoy a rich, varied and exciting outdoor environment where they can build, create, explore, imagine and take on healthy challenges. Loose parts, dens, mud, sand, role play and quiet spaces give every child the chance to play in the way that suits them best.

Through play, our children are developing so much more than physical skills. They are learning to cooperate, negotiate, solve problems, manage risk and look after one another. These experiences sit right at the heart of our school vision, “Shine Like Stars in the World”, and our values of respect, love, kindness, friendship, trust and courage come alive every day on our playground.

Our play provision is always growing, and donations of suitable loose parts are gratefully received. Please speak to the school office if you have something you think we could use.

Most importantly, please remember to send your child to school in clothes suitable for outdoor play in all weathers, so they can make the most of every playtime.

We are so proud of this achievement and can’t wait to see how play at St Paul’s continues to flourish.