Log Area - changes with the seasons

Dance Zone

Den Building Zone

Imagination Zone - Theatre, Dressing Up, Vehicles, Look Out Station

Cogs and Wheels Zone

Slide

We also have:

Climbing Frame

Equipment Zone

Basketball

Chalk Zone

Art Zone

Weaving Zone

Music Zone

 

Our play times are SO different now and we absolutely LOVE them!

 

It has been a challenging journey at times but together we have achieved so much!

 

Deliveries of Tyres

Storage

Clearing out the garden to make the Imagination Zone

Creating the Digging Zone

Creating the Sand Pit

As you can see, the children have been involved right alongside us and they feel an immense sense of pride in what they have created and can now play in or with every day. 

 

OPAL had hugely benefitted all of our children and they are ALL so enthusiastic when talking about OPAL.

Our OPAL Champions had the very important job to talk to our Governors about OPAL.

They informed our Governors about all the zones we have in school, excitedly letting them know about the new sand pit which was close to completion at this point. Governors asked children which were their favourite zones, had they learned new skills and had they made new friends and they were able to answer confidently and with enthusiasm.

Governors noted that children:

- were enthusiastic and loved OPAL;

- could discuss the new skills that they had learned;

- could discuss how they had made different friends by playing in lots of zones;

- were happy that they could choose every day to play in whichever zone they felt like and that their preferences did change from day to day or week to week;

- understood that there were less occasions where they fell out with friends as they were too busy to fall out, or they could access a different zone if they needed a short break from their friend;

- were excited about all the zones and new zones being developed;

- knew the zones gave them opportunities to experience different kinds of play and this helps to make sure that there is something for everyone!

It was also discussed that children access OPAL Zones during Youth Group sessions at the Community Centre, including children from different schools who comment that they do not have this at their school and can't believe that children at Laurel Avenue can play in these zones every day.

Well done to Tiffany, Lenny, Rory, Ella B, Ambrose, Alexis-Jo, Kris, Emily, Rosie, Catherine, Emma, Aayan, Rebecca and Tyler. You were brilliant!

The Governors said a huge thank you to the children for giving up their time to come and talk to them and that they loved their enthusiasm and ability to tell them all about OPAL clearly.

 

OPAL has been an amazing journey for everyone involved. It has been a huge community effort bringing us all together to work towards one exciting goal - to offer the best play possible. The response of the children has been beyond my expectations. To hear sheer exclamations of delight, see so many happy faces and children engaged in such a variety of play types and experiences has been one of the most fulfilling and exciting parts of my career. The impact has been significant - on play, determination, problem-solving, resilience, friendships and behaviour. This includes learning behaviour as the children are so much more equipped for learning in the classroom each afternoon. We are excited to continue to develop play and our grounds and are very grateful for all of the support we have had. 

Ms Davison, Headteacher 

OPAL has impacted positively upon pupil's behaviour in both play and learning situations. Pupils have developed greater problem-solving skills and resilience which in turn has reduced conflict and where conflict does occur, has provided children with ways to de-escalate and resolve issues amongst themselves. The children are so busy enjoying themselves that previous playground bickering which would require adult intervention has drastically reduced. Children are happy, engaged and extremely active each lunchtime. It is wonderful to see the way they adapt their play to include all age ranges and abilities and the real community of play feeling OPAL has created.

Mrs Walters, Deputy Headteacher 

OPAL has really promoted the inclusion of our SEND children. Prior to the introduction of OPAL, we held lunch clubs with quiet activities for children who become overwhelmed but the quiet zone now offers calmer activities whilst being involved in the life of the school. They are also further included through activities with the older children; they want to help the younger children with SEND access new areas: they push them on go karts; dance in the dance zone; dig together in the sandpit; and pretend to eat the creations they cook in the mud kitchen! OPAL has provided opportunities to our SEND children which they would not normally have had and, more importantly, it has brought the school together through play.

Mrs Tew, SENDCO

I have noticed that there does not seem to be as many falling outs or incidents that need to be dealt with so does not eat into the afternoon lessons as much anymore. The children seem a lot happier and are wanting to discuss what they have done during their dinner time. 

Miss Tosney, Class Teacher 

OPAL has provided all our children with safe opportunities to explore risks, developing confidence and resilience. My 1:1 regularly tells me "ah try again" in his work in class; a skill he is given a chance to practise every lunchtime exploring new zones and ideas in play. It is a joy to watch our children master new skills such as jumping on pogo sticks and roller skating and the pride they have in their accomplishments. 

Miss Heseltine, Teaching Assistant

I feel very enthusiastic about OPAL. It has made such a positive impact on our play times. Our children are developing skills for finding solutions to their problems. All children are engaged in an activity during lunch time play and I feel much more involved. We have zones to cater for all and everyone is smiling and happy. Fewer accidents now occur and it is great to see all our children encouraging and helping each other. 

Miss Brown, Teaching Assistant

OPAL has opened the minds of the children at Laurel Avenue. It has provided a sanctuary of free-spirited play enabling self-expression and creativity. Playtimes are now filled with the sounds of excitable laughter, joyful music and roller-skates. There are scenes of children jumping in the sand, dancing on the stage, building dens, role play, team building and the list is endless! Playtimes have been transformed into a safe environment our children can blossom and thrive within. They can leave our school as confident, self -assured, resilient and mindful young adults we endeavour them to be.

I also believe the very fact that the children were always part of the process in enabling OPAL to become what it is now has taught precious life-skills. They have learnt that sheer grit and determination pays off, working as part of a team, thinking through the plan and problem solving is a process they will use again and again in life.'No pain, no gain.' Now they can reap the rewards that lesson brings!

Miss Hughes, Teaching Assistant and Lunchtime Supervisor

OPAL allows children to explore and express themselves through playful creativity. Children of all ages and different social groups form relations through shared interests and ideas. This helps to develop resilience, dexterity and confidence. They are able to learn through play, developing fine and gross motor skills which is also helpful skill for later in life. It’s nice to see children engaged at playtime and not all squabbling over football and complaining they are bored.

Miss Loftus, Teaching Assistant

OPAL playtimes allow the children to really enjoy being children. A child I work with in particular has been able to take advantage of various areas which have allowed him to access toys and games which ordinarily may not be available to a child of his age.

Mrs Staley, Teaching Assistant

I think it’s great. It gets the kids outside more and doing different things and teaching them life skills. Elisha loves it. She loves the new sand pit. You all do an amazing job. 

Miss McInnes (Parent) 

 

What our OPAL Champions think:

Tiffany: Being an OPAL Champion is great because you get to help the Headteacher. I like the dance zone the best, especially when ‘King of the Road’ comes on. The sand pit is great to run around in – it’s like being at the beach. I’d love a trampoline.

 

Lenny: I like the Chill Zone because the bean bags are really comfy. The sand pit is good too for building sandcastles. I like seeing my big brother – we can play together.

 

Rory: The platform is so cool as I get to spy on people with my binoculars. They don’t know I’m there because I use the camouflage net.

 

Ella: I like that the areas change. The log area is my favourite at the minute because there’s an egg hunt.

 

Ambrose: I really look forward to lunchtimes now. It’s good to try new things and there are always new things to try. I like that I get to help make lunchtimes even better as an OPAL Champion too.

 

Rosie: I like challenging myself. I couldn’t do the pogo stick at first but I’m really good at it now. I look forward to lunchtimes because there is so much to play with. We get more time outside, we work together more and there are less arguments because everyone has something to do.

 

Emily: I didn’t give up when I found the roller-skates hard and now I’m so much better. OPAL helps with resilience.

 

Tyler: I like how OPAL brings us new zones to enjoy. My favourites are the digging zone and the sand zone. I like to challenge myself in how deep I can dig and if I find any treasure, that’s an added bonus! The sand zone is good too because I like building sandcastles but the best bit is knocking them down.

 

Rebecca: There are so many choices at lunchtimes now. The dance zone is my favourite because I love to perform and getting to be a DJ is fun. I really love playing with the younger ones – I let them choose games and then I join in. There are so many happy faces at lunch times now. I haven’t tried the Chill Zone or Art Zone yet but I will try them – there are just so many choices!