Amazing play, every day, for every child

What is OPAL?

OPAL is an award-winning, mentor-supported school improvement programme where schools strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities. OPAL is the only programme of its kind that has been independently proven to sustainably improve the quality of play in British primary schools.

On Thursday 10th October, our play mentor came to assess our progress with OPAL so far. She was rather impressed and we earned ourselves an OPAL Gold Award! We are feeling rather proud of this. See below for the wonderful feedback we received.

Congratulations to all at St Michael’s CE primary on your OPAL Gold award. This award represents lots of hard work, support and dedication from the school staff, the pupils, governors, and parent community. It is an award for the whole school community and places you in the top 5% of primary schools in the country for the quality of your outdoor play. St Michael’s is a school that values children's right to play, and is ambitious in their plan to support every child to have an amazing playtime, every day. The school has a rich play environment and the pupils have lots of freedom and choice. It was a delight to observe the children at play during the final audit. I was met with scene after scene of happy, active and creative children playing in a myriad of ways; digging, scooting, dressing up, football, street hockey, den building, mud sliding, loom bands, a DIY chocolate factory and even an impromptu giant karaoke sign-along! The playground had a joyful, community feel with older and younger pupils supporting each other on the playground. The children show responsibility by sweeping the playground, managing their own coats and wellies, and packing away the resources at the end of each session. Well done to Mrs Robson, Mr Smith, the OPAL working party and the whole school community! I'm excited to see what happens next!