OPAL

Blessed Robert Widmerpool CVA is part of an exciting play programme to improve pupils’ opportunities for physical activity, socialisation, cooperation, coordination, resilience, creativity, imagination and enjoyment through improved play!

The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme is based on the idea that, as well as learning through good teaching, your children also learn when they play. As 20% of their time in school is playtime, we want to make sure that this amount of time (equivalent to 1.4 years of primary school) is as good as possible.

One reason BRW is carrying out this programme is that childhood has changed, and many children no longer get their play needs met out of school.

  • Average screen time per day is six hours.
  • Average outdoor play time per week is five hours.
  • Percentage of UK children who only play outdoors with other children at school is 56%.

There are many proven benefits for schools that carry out the OPAL Primary Programme. They usually include: more enjoyment of school, less teaching time lost to disputes between children, fewer accidents and greatly improved behaviour.

To learn even more about OPAL, please take some time to read this booklet and our BRW Play Policy:

Power Of Playtime!

BRW Play Policy

If you would like to see an example of an established ‘OPAL’ school in action, take a look here:

OPAL Playtime

And we are always on the look out for resources so that we cater for lots of different play types! If you can donate, build or source any of the following, we at BRW would be incredibly grateful:

If objects are really large, such as wooden pallets, we will do our best to make someone available to help you carry them into school.

We hope you are as excited as we are to transform playtime for our children!