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OPAL
St Peters is so proud to say we are a GOLD OPAL school:
- O - Outdoor
- P - Play
- A - and
- L - Learning
Our OPAL Team
- Headteacher - Mrs Moss
- Deputy Headteacher - Mrs Turner
- Curricular Lead for Play - Miss Rigby
- Co-ordinator for Play - Mrs Siddique
- Play Workers - Mrs Khawaja, Mrs Zaman, Miss Wallace and Mrs Docksey
- Play Governors - Megan Smith and Danielle Iklaq
Intent
At St Peters, we believe that play is the heartbeat of childhood. Since embarking on our OPAL play journey, our intent has been and will continue to be creating an inclusive, enriching and joyful outdoor environment where every child can thrive physically, socially and emotionally. By embedding high-quality play into the fabric of our school culture, we aim to foster creativity, resilience and collaboration.
Achieving the OPAL GOLD Award reflects out deep commitment to ensuring that outdoor play is a vital part of learning.
Implementation
To bring our vision to life, we undertook a whole-school transformation guided by the OPAL framework. We began with strategic planning, developing a long-term play strategy that aligned with our school values and curriculum. All staff received OPAL training to deepen their understanding of the value of play and how to support it effectively across all age groups.
Our outdoor spaces were redesigned to include natural materials, loose parts, climbing structures, quiet zones, and imaginative play areas - creating a rich and varied environment that encourages exploration and creativity. We ensured that every child, regardless of ability or background, has access to meaningful play experiences every day. Parents, carers, and local partners were actively involved throughout the journey, helping to shape and support our evolving play culture.
Impact
The results of our OPAL journey have been transformative. Pupils report greater enjoyment of school and stronger friendships, contributing to a happier and more inclusive atmosphere. Daily outdoor play has boosted physical activity, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional regulation, supporting overall wellbeing. Behaviour during break times has significantly improved, with children more engaged, cooperative, and respectful of one another.
Our GOLD Award is something that we are incredibly proud of and will continue to provide for children.
What playtimes look like at St Peters:
