Events
OPAL provides ongoing events to support existing OPAL schools and the wider primary school community.
Find out more about upcoming events here...
Online
Online
On site
On site
Online
Only on OPAL College
Suitable for play team members, play co-ordinators, play curricular leads and OPAL working party members
These sessions will be held regularly throughout the year to enable all OPAL member schools to ensure that all of their staff have a good working knowledge of OPAL's RAPID approach to managing risk in play. It is an essential part of the OPAL offer that both senior management and playground staff understand and practise the RAPID approach.
These sessions cover
- Risk-Benefit Assessments
- Assemblies
- Policy
- Inspections
- Dynamic risk-assessment
Only on OPAL College
Suitable for play team members, play co-ordinators, play curricular leads and OPAL working party members
Spend 45 minutes after school in a hosted online chat group talking about your success stories, problems and exchanging ideas.
Each meeting will focus on one issue such as mud, risk or the seasons and often includes a guest expert to support discussions and solutions on the topic of the day.
Networking sessions for existing OPAL schools and school visit sessions. Open to all
These meetings have two elements. Existing OPAL member schools may send delegates to the in-person networking sessions and playground visits. Non-OPAL delegates may send anyone for the open playtime visit plus the information session.
If you have never seen just how amazing a playtime looks and feels in a school that has completed the OPAL Primary Programme and achieved our highest award level, there is no substitute for seeing the real thing in action.
Participants will be guided around a school lunchtime play session and also hear from members across the school community from SLT to children about the impact that OPAL has had and see what we mean when we say 'Every child should have an amazing playtime every day - no exceptions!'
Only open to OPAL member schools
Suitable for play team members, play co-ordinators, play curricular leads and OPAL working party members
These sessions are designed to inspire and support play team members, to gain new ideas and share a sense of common purpose.
Participants will get to visit an amazing school lunchtime play and talk to the children and play team members. They will also get to hear speakers from the school on the impact of the programme and get a chance to participate in hosted topic discussions to share ideas, solve problems and improve practice.
Open to anyone interested in play in schools
Suitable for anyone, from SLT to playtimes supervisors and parents, with an interest in the value of play in schools.
These events are held every three months and have a themed focus. They attract worldwide audiences of up to 600 delegates.
This is, in essence, a 'speed conference' with around six expert presenters, headteachers or experienced practitioners each giving a five-minute presentation.
Delegates then get the opportunity for a Q and A session with the panel of speakers.
Recording of past sessions are available here