April 2026

On Thursday 30 April, we had our fourth OPAL assembly. We celebrated how successful our play has been and thanked our Sports Leaders and Active 60 Leaders who have been helping the younger children.  We also celebrated that a week later we had at least 40 of the play table figures, which was a super effort that we will aim to maintain!

Pupils were told about the PLAY DETECTIVE role and if in Years 4–6 they can apply for the job. We look forward to announcing the team in the next assembly.

In the assembly, we introduced new sand boxes and a group of suitcases. There was a buzz and excitement when everyone heard about the new additions and pupils shared their ideas for happy and safe play. The pupils had so many important ideas to share and listened respectfully to each other.

On Monday 20 April we had our third OPAL assembly where we introduced play tables and figures. We talked about the rules for the tables and figures and what we needed to do for happy and safe play. We had a challenge to look after the play figures as 45 were put out in a box.

We also celebrated how well we have been tidying up with speed and teamwork being observed by adults.

 

On Thursday 16 April (the first week back after the Easter break) we had our second OPAL assembly. The pupils were given information on the play ZONES.

Pupils were told about the zone choices and what was available in each zone at lunchtime. Pupils then shared their ideas for OPAL play rules for each zone to help ensure our play is safe and happy!! 😊

In the assemblies, we follow the CINI approach and all pupils from Reception to Year 6 are invited to attend and share their ideas.

 

Our OPAL ZONES for lunchtime play  have been a HUGE SUCCESS. We have all pupils mixing across the outside spaces, with a range of activities and resources available.

Our Zone activities/resources so far include:

• Use of the play equipment – trim trail, exercise equipment, climbing frames
• Cardboard boxes
• Giant Jenga
• Giant Connect Four
• 4 Square with larger balls
• Basketball
• Materials for seating spaces
• Small tables & play figures
• Fancy dress
• Cuddly toys
• Play houses and slide 
• Chalk
• Hoops
• Skipping ropes
• Space hoppers

We are going to be appointing some PLAY DETECTIVES who will help our OPAL play develop and will introduce you to the team by the end of this half term.

We are also continuing to add to our OPAL resources and activities in the coming weeks, and will update you more before the end of this half-term.

 

March 2026 

During the first week back of Term 3, Ofsted visited Wessex, so OPAL plans were on hold. In Week 3 we had our first OPAL assembly. All pupils from Reception to Year 6 gathered to hear an introduction to OPAL from Mrs Pope and were:

• Shown some pictures and videos of OPAL in other schools
• Shown the results of the pupil, parent and staff surveys
• Asked for help to gather resources for our OPAL play next term.

After Easter, everyone will be informed about a key change as ZONES are being introduced into the outside space.

February 2026

At the end of the first spring term, we have distributed our staff, parent and pupil surveys, The information gathered will enable us to see the views of our school community on play and we will use feedback to help build our OPAL adventure.

After half-term, in our first whole school assembly, the pupils will be introduced to OPAL and what lunchtimes could look like.

January 2026

Our OPAL mentor (Libby Truscott) led a whole school INSET on Monday 5th January for our school staff (senior leaders, teachers, support staff, office staff and the caretaker). We are all very much looking forward to starting our OPAL journey with Libby guiding us along the way. 

Mr Beavan HT, Mrs Pope DHT/OPAL Curricular Play Lead and Mrs Patrick TA/OPAL Play Coordinator met with Libby Truscott (our OPAL mentor) to go through the OPAL audit for the first time. Our Baseline score was 40% (most schools score between 30 - 40% at baseline). As part of the audit, Libby looked at our school site and the play spaces available for our pupils. The feedback from the audit was that our school site has great opportunities to develop wonderful play experiences for pupils.

At the end of January some of the OPAL team met with our OPAL mentor Libby for our first development meeting. We updated our OPAL action plan and discussed some quick 'playtime wins'. We discussed the storage of OPAL resources and how we will repurpose storage accordingly.