What is OPAL?
In autumn of 2024 we introduced the transformative new initiative at our academy, OPAL, the playtime enhancement project. In partnership with Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) CIC, we aim to elevate our children's playtime experience by creating enriched, diverse, and imaginative play environments.
The project aligns perfectly with our academy's core values of fostering relationships, respect, resilience, reflection and responsibility.
Through OPAL, we are working to provide a variety of creative resources and play spaces that encourage cooperative and self directed, imaginative play.
Research shows that open-ended play experiences enhance cognitive, physical and social emotional development, which equip skills that will serve our children beyond the playground.
Together we can give our children the gift of expanded learning opportunities through play.
Donations and Support
We will always need resources to help with the initiative, so if you have any of the below items (or know a local business that can gift items) please get in touch:
- Briefcases, suitcases or items with wheels or castors
- Plastic crates
- Wooden pallets
- Kitchen items: pots, pans, baking trays, wooden spoons, chopping boards
- Garden tools: small spades, shovels, trowels, brooms
- Pegs for den building
- Buckets, nets, thick ropes and cable drums
- Various sized tubes
- Fabric - large brightly coloured sheets
- Bodyboards, camping and yoga mats
- Dress-up items ie:wedding dresses, waistcoats, scarves, hats, character costumes
- Non-working electronics ie:torches, calculators, phones, laptops
- Road signs and cones
- Tyres
- Imaginative play: dolls, soft toys, cars, dinosaurs etc
Why support the OPAL Project?.
By donating items, you are directly contributing to creating play environments that encourage our children to be curious, creative, and confident. These play experiences will allow children to explore their imaginations, collaborate with others and develop resilience and problem-solving skills, all while having fun.
