We hope you had a wonderful half term! What have our amazing #OPALSchools got planned for playtimes for the rest of the school year? Please share your highlights in the comments 💚

Researchers at Queen Margaret University are looking to hear from UK-based professionals, including teachers and early years practitioners, about their attitudes towards different types of nature play. 📋 Take part here: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/qmu/play-r...

Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay! We believe that outdoor play and learning are critical to a happy and healthy childhood. That’s why our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions. Find out more: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk

▶ The latest ep of Play Well podcast is out! We spoke with Margaret and Kerry at Baltasound Junior High School, and heard all about their journey as a Play Pedagogy Award pilot school and their insights into the impact of play on children in the primary years. www.spreaker.com/episode/54-b...

Children in OPAL schools self-report improved mental health. This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, find out more about the benefits of improving playtimes: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/evidence/ben...

Happy 100th birthday Sir David Attenborough! When children play outdoors, they learn about and grow to care about the natural world. Nature play can also reduce stress, increase physical activity, and improve wellbeing. Most of all, it’s fun! What have you seen when children play outdoors in nature?

"By prioritising creative, child-led play, the teaching team at the Blenheim Road school have noted an increase in physical activity during breaktimes, a boost in mental wellbeing, and children returning to lessons more focused and ready to learn." www.sloughexpress.co.uk/gallery/educ...

The amazing Project Play team is inviting primary school teachers to Calais to learn about the experience of children on the border and to help them raise awareness and funds. Find out more and apply: www.project-play.org/teachers

At OPAL, we have a really simple mission — for every child to have an outstanding playtime every day, with no exceptions! Are you interested in unlocking the power of playtime? Get started today: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/get-started/

“Streets for play, streets for freedom” by @aliceferguson.bsky.social & @timrgill.bsky.social makes the case for a "child lens" on transport policy. Time to prioritise those most impacted yet least considered in planning our streets: Children. Read more here: playingout.net/take-action/...

Wishing our amazing community of #OPALSchools a fantastic Easter break. Thank you to everyone that has shared their OPAL playtimes this term and brought so much joy to our social feeds!

“Play is crucial to a child’s brain development and we are incredibly proud of the high quality play opportunities happening in our school." Headteachers Mrs Hollinger and Mrs Willford, Redlands Primary and Nursery School. www.worksopguardian.co.uk/education/ce... #OPALSchools

We are in love with this new film from Brookside Primary School in Leicestershire, which shows how they have amazing playtimes every day, whatever the weather! youtu.be/PNs0yPBaSDU?...

“We are committed to ensuring quality play opportunities are available to all our children and believe that play is essential for physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development." Amy Howlett, Headteacher. www.hemeltoday.co.uk/education/pr... #OPALSchools

What a fantastic new film from the OPAL North East team, who also work across #Cumbria to bring children amazing playtimes every day. This is a must-watch for if you want to see how #OPALSchools get out to play when it’s wet and muddy! Watch now, here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRb3...

Interesting report from the University of Winchester and Energise Me looking at the impact of active uniforms at St Michael’s CE Junior School in Aldershot. www.energiseme.org/news/could-a... #ActiveUniforms #ActivePlay #ActiveUniformAlliance

"This award isn’t simply recognition of a transformed playground; it reflects a genuine cultural shift and a deep belief that play truly matters." OPAL mentor, Louise Taffe Congratulations to Oakwood and all the other recently awarded #OPALSchools! www.hertsad.co.uk/news/2588959...

"PE lessons are 20 minutes longer now since pupils don't need to get changed, they don't have to worry about bringing their sports kit, the uniform is quick drying and doesn't need ironing, and pupils are more active in the playground." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"Our Always Active Uniforms campaign suggests this change as a low-effort way to help children become more physically active, without adding more pressure on schools or parents." Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO, speaking with the BBC. www.bbc.com/news/article...

"Our investment and commitment to outdoor learning and play has benefited the whole school community and our renewed status is testament to the hard work and dedication of our fabulous staff." #OPALSchools www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2582014...

How is everyone managing with the ice and snow we've had recently? Whether or not children are off for a snow day, it offers opportunity for risky, outdoor play, and it's free! All you need is warm clothes and the fresh air to let the imagination run wild. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play...

We all know that there are lots of benefits to children from having lots of great play, but did you know there are many benefits for schools too? Here are 10 of them — we would love to hear which ones you have experienced in your school.

We’re passionate about giving children more opportunities to be active, which is why we’re excited to be exhibiting at Youth Sport Trust's 2026 conference: Happy, healthy and thriving - a new era through PE, sport and play! If you’re coming along on 4 March, pop by and say hello!

Sometimes the best way to understand the impact of investing in playtime is to see it in action! That’s why our team of mentors hold open days in OPAL schools across the country. Find one near you, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

"We are excited to begin this journey and look forward to seeing the benefits for our whole school community." Chetwynde Primary School embarks on their OPAL journey! www.nwemail.co.uk/news/2577642... #OPALSchools

Has your school signed the active uniform pledge? Make play times easier by ensuring an always-active uniform! 👇

We're delighted that more than 70 primary schools have now signed the active uniform pledge! Your school can join them, here: activeuniform.org/take-the-ple... Has your school already adopted an always-active uniform? We'd love to hear all about it. youtu.be/DzKVHQY6lsQ?...

"Physical activity is often called the 'miracle cure' by medical experts - and for excellent reason." Great blog from Simon Hayes and Ali Oliver, @sportengland.bsky.social and Youth Sport Trust. www.sportengland.org/blogs/lets-m... #ActiveUniformAlliance #MadeToMove

"We spoke with other schools that had already adopted an active uniform, sought feedback from governors, and surveyed parents and pupils. Over 80% of children voted in favour of the change, which played a significant role in our decision-making." activeuniform.org/case-study-b...

Did you know that our wonderful team of mentors run open days in OPAL schools up and down the country? If you’re thinking of starting the OPAL Primary Programme, here are three reasons you should come along to one. Find an open day near you, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

It's always lovely to see #OPALSchools being celebrated for their commitment to playtimes! www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/school-...

There are clearly lots of benefits to children from having lots of great play, but the good news is that there are many benefits for schools too. Are you ready to make playtime a key part of the school day? Get started here: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/get-started/

Happy #NewYear from all of us at OPAL! The year may be new but our mission remains the same — for every child in every school to have an amazing hour of high-quality play every day. If your school wants to improve playtimes in 2026, get started here: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/get-started/

If you're looking for play inspiration for the school holidays, @playscotland.bsky.social has plenty of ideas to get you started! We would love to hear which ones you try — please share in the comments. www.playscotland.org/parents-fami...

Wishing our community of #OPALSchools a wonderful festive break. We look forward to working with you in 2026 to make sure every child has amazing play, every day!

One child said: "There is fun, but OPAL is fun on another level." 😍 www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2569822... #OPALSchools

Our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions. As we look back on another year, here are three ways we have worked towards achieving it in 2025.

🚨 Report Published: Scottish School Grounds Survey Report 2025 We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use. www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...

Calling headteachers in schools across England! Researchers need your voice in an international study on school uniform policies. Your input will help shape more active, inclusive, and equitable school environments—not just in England, but globally. More: www.tinyurl.com/4bfbf3bu

"Playtimes at Applegarth Primary School are truly amazing where creativity and imagination happens everyday, for every child." OPAL mentor Kate Gallon www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/2565420... #OPALSchools

"We are incredibly proud to be an OPAL school in the North East and we have been dedicated to providing high quality, inclusive play every day for 10 years." Caroline Hodgson, headteacher at Esh Winning Academy. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e... #OPALSchools

“We believe that play is fundamental to children’s physical and mental wellbeing. By introducing OPAL, we have allowed our pupils opportunities to develop key skills in language, cooperation and collaboration.” Sarah Clark, Headteacher thehaveringdaily.co.uk/2025/11/26/c...

#OPALSchools see dramatic improvements in behaviour, staff wellbeing, attendance, and much more. Want to see OPAL in action? Join us for one of our open days! www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

All children have the #RightToPlay. But for the hundreds of refugee children living in northern France, the opportunities to play are extremely limited. That’s why we’re match funding Project Play's fundraising campaign. Find out more 👇 www.justgiving.com/page/project...

More than 75 organisations and individuals have now pledged their support for the #MadeToMove campaign! Do you believe that it’s time to reimagine school uniforms and make them fit for a modern childhood? Join the #ActiveUniformAlliance today: activeuniform.org/partners/ youtu.be/DzKVHQY6lsQ?...

Project Play has now reached 87% of their fundraising target! We're match funding this campaign, so every £ donated will be doubled. That's double the play and double the impact! Could you help them get to 100%? Make a donation below 💚 www.justgiving.com/page/project...

#OPALSchools see dramatic improvements in behaviour, staff wellbeing, attendance, and much more. If you want to see an OPAL playtime in action, why not come along to one of our open days? You can browse events and book your free place, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

We're really excited about this project from the Youth Sport Trust! The year-long initiative aims to demonstrate how reimagining school uniforms could be key to tackling the nation’s growing inactivity crisis among children. More, here: activeuniform.org/london-schoo... #ActiveUniformAlliance

Nature Play Survey 🍂 Dr Alex Barrable and her team at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh are looking to find out about parents' perception of nature play. If you are a parent of a child between 2-11 please take 10 mins to fill in the survey. app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/qmu/play-r...

🧩 Discover the transformative potential of Loose Parts Play Our online training covers: 📚 Theory and principles ⚖️ Manage risk in a safe way 🛠️ Creative, practical ideas Don't forget to use your member's code to get 10% off at checkout! Book your place now: www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...