OPAL at The Willesborough Schools

What is OPAL?

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 and has

recently expanded to Spain, France, Poland, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia.

At the Willesborough Schools we believe that every child will have an amazing high-quality play experience every day – with no exceptions.

What does my child need to take part in OPAL?

Play Policy

Please click here to view the Schools' OPAL Play Policy

OPAL Updates

Community Recycle Scheme

This new scheme donates second-hand, overstocked and end-of-line equipment to schools across the UK. A range of items has already been given away, including shade sails, post pad protectors and colourful fence pales. The full range of items can be viewed online, where requests can also be submitted. Several companies are involved with this initiative, including A&S Landscape, a manufacturer of custom-built canopies for schools.

We are delighted to be working with them to improve the play experience for children at Willesborough in ways that would not otherwise be possible - we'll keep you posted on this.

What does Tom Head (Executive Headteacher) think about the impact of OPAL?

The introduction of OPAL has profoundly transformed our schools, particularly during lunchtimes, where we have seen a significant improvement in behaviour. However, the benefits of OPAL extend far beyond just lunchtime management; it has been the single best school improvement initiative we have implemented in recent years.

In a remarkably short period, we have witnessed notable increases in attendance, behaviour, and overall well-being among our pupils , staff and parents. OPAL has fostered a renewed appreciation for the importance of outdoor play, especially in an era where children often have limited opportunities to simply be children. This initiative has not only enriched our school environment but has also had an immeasurable positive impact on our community.

Moreover, we are observing unexpected gains in our pupils' resilience and problem-solving skills within lessons. These developments highlight the holistic benefits of outdoor play and learning, reinforcing the notion that play is essential for cognitive and social development.

If you are a school considering OPAL, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Invest in this initiative and invest heavily if you can—it is truly a game changer for our schools and our children.