OPAL

Outdoor Play and Learning

The OPAL programme rationale is that “…better, more active and creative playtimes can mean happier and healthier children, and having happier, healthier, more active children usually results in a more positive attitude to learning in school, with more effective classroom lessons, less staff time spent resolving unnecessary behavioural problems, fewer playtime accidents, happier staff and a healthier attitude to life”.

At Even Swindon, we believe that play is a fundamental part of a child's learning journey. After all, 20% of the school day is dedicated to play! This is why we are proud to embrace the OPAL play that has transformed our large school site into vibrant and fun spaces for exploration, imagination and development. Our school has recently been awarded the Platinum award for OPAL, recognising our play provision as being exceptional and placing Even Swindon in the top 2% of schools in the country for our lunch time play provision.  

OPAL stands for Outdoor Play and Learning, and it is built on the ethos that children learn best when they are actively engaged and challenged in an open-air environment. The OPAL programme aims to improve opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, cooperation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment through improved play. Through imaginative play, exploration and collaboration, our children are more active at lunchtime and have the opportunity to become motivated and enthusiastic builders, engineers, explorers, designers and more! 

Take a look at some of the exciting play opportunities the children can explore and interact with at lunchtime here at Even Swindon! 

OPAL in action