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Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)
Amazing playtimes, every day, for every child
At Combe Down, we believe that play is not an “extra”. It is a vital part of childhood, wellbeing, learning and personal development.
Through the Outdoor Play and Learning Primary Programme, known as OPAL, we are continuing to develop playtimes that are creative, inclusive, active, social, imaginative and full of opportunity.
Our aim is simple: Every child. Every day. Amazing play.
At Combe Down, OPAL links closely to our school vision: Together we plant, nurture and grow. Through play, children grow in confidence, independence, resilience, friendship and joy.
What OPAL looks like at Combe Down
At Combe Down, children can choose from a wide range of play opportunities.
These include:
Loose parts play
Children use crates, tyres, planks, tarpaulins, fabric, cable reels, boxes and other open-ended materials to build, create, imagine and problem solve.
Creative and imaginative play
Children can dress up, create dens, make stages, invent games, build small worlds, perform, role play and develop their own ideas.
Mud, sand, water and nature
Children can dig, mix, collect, pour, build, plant, explore and play with natural materials.
Movement and challenge
Children can balance, climb, carry, push, pull, run, chase, jump, build and explore different ways of moving around the school grounds.
Quiet and social spaces
Some children want busy, active play. Others want somewhere to talk, rest, imagine, read, hide, watch or be with a small group of friends. OPAL helps us provide different spaces for different children.
Ball games
Ball games are part of our play offer, but they do not dominate the whole playground. We want all children to have space and choice.
The aim is not for every child to do the same thing; the aim is for every child to find play that is meaningful for them.
