OPAL
At Leyburn Primary School, we believe that all children have the right to play and we recognise the importance of play in developing happy, healthy and resilient children. We are very proud to be providing an outdoor play and learning program that provides our children with countless opportunities to build on their social skills, develop their problem solving, encourage creativity, stimulate their imagination, improve resilience and enhance their wellbeing. We do this through providing different resources and outdoor areas so that the children have a diverse range of activities to choose from during every break-time. Our Play Charter has been created alongside the children to ensure that every child’s right to play is respected at our school:
Our Play Charter
The right to play and informal recreation, for all children and young people up to 18 years of age, is contained in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by the UK government in 1991. At Leyburn Primary School, we respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in play.
In our school, every child has the right to play and enjoy OPAL by making sure:
- We take care of the equipment
- We put broken parts in the bin or ask for the help of an adult
- We share equipment and areas with each other
- We keep everybody safe by following agreed rules for each area
- We listen to each other and share ideas
- We make our own choices about what we play
- We all help to tidy up and take responsibility for our play environment
- We have fun!
Our play areas
We are incredibly lucky to have a beautiful outdoor space made up of grass, trees, hills, different pathways, astroturf and a wildlife area. Our children also have free access to the following areas:
Sports area
We have different sports available to play throughout the year, including football, basketball, tennis, rounders, marbles and frisbee.
Sand area
We have a huge sand-pit in which the children are able to dig and construct.
Chilling area
We have hammocks set out amongst our beautiful trees, as well as a rainbow of ribbons to provide some peace amongst the play.
Mud area
We have a mud kitchen and plenty of mud for budding cooks!
Small world area
Little stones, tyres and figures allow imaginations to go wild.
Performance and music area
Our stage and speaker is perfect for performers or singers. We also have dressing up clothes to help us feel the part.
Digging area
As well as the mud kitchen, we have a digging area for more muddy fun.
Den-building area
We have tarpaulins, ropes and many other large parts for the children to create their very own dens.
Art area
We have paper, pencils, crayons, chalks and different arty activities available throughout the year.
Water area
We have installed an outside tap so that the children can fill buckets and pipes. We also have a water wall and large tubs for the children to play with water.
Jumping, hopping and balancing areas
We have space-hoppers, hills and a trail for balance practice as well as slacklines between our trees.
Reading area
We have a reading shed available for all children to access with its very own Year 6 librarian.
Our Play Policy can be found here: Leyburn Play Policy
If you would like to learn more about the OPAL Primary Programme, please see the OPAL website (www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk), where you will find lots of useful information and several videos about the programme.