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Childhood has changed and we can no longer assume that any child is able to experience full and rich play opportunities outside of school.

At OPAL we believe that play teaches children all of the things that need to be learnt but cannot be taught. There are clearly lots of benefits to children from having lots of great play, but the good news is that there are also many benefits for schools too.

To find why schools need great play, please contact us and let's have a chat. You'll be amazed at the benefits.....

.... including dramatic improvements in;

• Behaviour - happy children don't cause nearly as much trouble as bored children
• Accidents - OPAL schools have up to 80% less reported accidents
• Staff well-being - Supervising happier children leads to happier staff
• SLT time - senior leaders report a dramatic reduction in the time they spend on resolving play conflicts
• Teachers - consistently report more teaching time in afternoon lessons
• Self-regulation - children in OPAL schools learn to self regulate through practice, trust and freedom
• Physical activity - all children, including girls, SEN and non-sporty children are significantly more active
• Mental well-being - Research shows OPAL children are happier and self-reporting improved mental health
• Social and emotional development - Good play in the laboratory of life where relationships are practised
• Links to formal learning - Many OPAL schools report increased creativity, imagination and collaborative skills
• Attendance - children can't wait to come to OPAL schools because they have such fun
• Parents - we all want our children to be happy. Well informed parents at OPAL schools love it that their children are happier
• Rights - Play is a child's right as recognised by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• OFSTED - OPAL schools can easily provide evidence on their approach to wellbeing and inclusion
• Risk - OPAL schools report significant improvements in children's ability to identify and manage risk

It's a win-win for everyone, and financially the cost-benefit ratio is outstanding!