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Proven benefits of the OPAL programme

Each of the 2,000 schools we have helped has taught us something new. The OPAL Primary Programme is action-research led, meaning we are always always improving the programme and our support for our customers.

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The OPAL programme is the result of ongoing research, evaluation and improvement.

Just as OPAL works with schools to strive to continually evaluate and improve their play offer, we do the same with our programme.

The first large-scale evaluation was carried out by the University of Gloucestershire and published by the National Children's Bureau.

The University of Exeter is currently conducting a seven year academic research project into the impact of OPAL on children's mental health and wellbeing.

Key findings

Considerable proven benefits have been gained from participating in the OPAL Primary Programme. These include:

Successfully transforming attitudes and culture across the whole school community, especially in relation to the value of play and attitudes to risk and dirt.

Getting schools to dramatically improve access to their grounds and the quality of the play offer available to children through low-cost high impact changes.

Changing children's patterns of behaviours away from problematic and disruptive and towards creative, imaginative, collaborative and resilient.

All OPAL schools report significant increases in children's joy and happiness in school. This is reported by the children themselves and the adults who care for them.

All OPAL schools report a transformation in the equality and equity of children's playtime experiences. Girls, children with additional needs, those on free school meals and non-sporty children consistently have better, more active and more enjoyable playtimes.

OPAL schools have all found that play is an amazing way to build stronger links with parents and the wider community. Out of over 15,000 parents surveyed, 99% supported better play in school.

Published reports

Supporting school improvement through play

Independent evaluation of the OPAL Primary Programme led by Gloucestershire University and published by the National Children's Bureau.

Outdoor play and learning (OPAL) in school communities

First stage research report into the impact of OPAL's Canadian programme by Ryerson University.

Outdoor play and learning (OPAL) in school communities

The final report into the impact of the OPAL Primary Programme in Toronto schools by Ryerson University.

Play

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fit and Health Childhood's report on play, citing OPAL.

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The Case for Play in Schools

The first-ever comprehensive review of the academic and literary research evidence supporting the case for better play in primary schools.

This report, sponsored by Sport England and carried out in association with Gloucester University, will provide decision-makers with the evidence they need to improve the policy, strategic planning and funding support for play in UK primary schools.

Download the report
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Join the OPAL community

Hundreds of new schools each year are discovering the many benefits of the OPAL Primary Programme. Through our online platform OPAL College, free monthly online meetings, newsletters and interschool visits, we are building an international community of schools.

Join today