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Our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions

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At OPAL we have seen how much of an impact improving play can have in a school.

We are not just talking about playtimes being a bit easier or about children being a bit happier. We are talking about lasting cultural transformation.

When you address a need that is so fundamental to children's physical and mental wellbeing as play, and you do it well, it is impossible to think of how you ran a school and didn’t do this.

Key benefits of play

Effectively addresses the crisis in lack of childhood movement and strength for all children.

Great daily play builds stronger muscles and bones, lung capacity, motor function and coordination and is essential for physical and emotional regulation.

Play allows children to practice and build skills in language, cooperation, and collaboration.

Play is also is the foundation of child friendships, and helps to develop and and strengthen them. All of these benefits will translate into the classroom.

Research shows that play is one of the fundamental elements of childhood happiness.

Children who are not bored but have fun, engaging joyful playtimes enjoy coming to school more and learn better.

Neurological research has proven that play is the only activity which lights up every part of the brain.

Play increases the number of neural connections made in the brain leading to greater flexibility and developmental capacity.

If one child is not enjoying playtimes,
then things still need improving.

We want every school to have a plan for play. We believe that play in schools should be approached as if it were an important human right, essential to all aspects of development and a unique source of joy and fulfilment, because it is all of these things and no child should miss out.

When you sign up for the OPAL programme, you are starting a process that should change your school and your children’s lives forever.

Start today
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We believe in play for every child.

To help make this vision come true:

  • We are sponsoring new NVQ levels 2 and 3 qualifications for Playwork in Schools.
  • We sponsor the annual National Playwork Conference.
  • We sponsor the charity Project Play.
  • We are founding partners of the Active Uniform Alliance.
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