Blagdon Primary School has been taking part in the OPAL (Outdoor Play And Learning) primary play programme – aimed at giving children the opportunity to play freely and creatively – for the last 18 months and has just received a 'Platinum award for play'. 

The OPAL scheme encourages outdoor play; with pupils encouraged to build dens, play in sandpits and cook in the mud kitchen. 

Headteacher, Jenny Campbell said: “The opportunity to really develop play has been important after the restrictions children have had over the last few years due to the pandemic. It’s been fantastic to see the different ways the children play with the varied equipment and spaces we have developed. Although our site is small, there’s a lot more for children to do and explore. A firm favourite is our mud kitchen. The children love it and wouldn’t be without it and our new sand pit is a complete hit!” 

“We have also partnered with the Blagdon Cricket Club, our neighbour, to ensure the children have more space to play when the field isn’t in use for cricket.” 

“Our children maybe a little dirtier than they were before OPAL, but children learn through their play and parents at Blagdon appreciate the importance of fun at lunchtimes which inevitably now means dens, mud and challenge.” 

To celebrate the award, the children had an afternoon of play.