Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)

At Lidget Green, we are proud to be an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) school, committed to transforming playtimes into rich, inclusive, and engaging experiences for all our children. OPAL is a nationally recognised programme that supports schools in developing high-quality play opportunities, fostering creativity, resilience, and wellbeing in pupils.

We believe that play is a crucial part of every child’s development. Through OPAL, we provide a variety of exciting outdoor experiences that encourage children to be imaginative, active, and collaborative. Whether it's building structures, loose parts play, or exploring nature, our playground is a space where children can learn through play in a way that nurtures their confidence, social skills, and problem-solving abilities.

By embedding the OPAL ethos into our school culture, we ensure that playtimes are not just enjoyable but also contribute to children’s emotional, physical, and social development. Our staff are trained to support and encourage high-quality play, and our OPAL Leaders—children trained to help facilitate play—play an important role in making break times fun and inclusive for everyone.

We have been on our OPAL journey since Summer 2024 and are continually developing our outdoor spaces and resources to ensure our children have the best possible play opportunities. We also value the support of our parents and community in helping us enhance our play provision.

Being an OPAL school means that play is at the heart of what we do. We are dedicated to providing an environment where every child can thrive, explore, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information about OPAL, please feel free to get in touch or visit the OPAL website to learn more about this fantastic programme.