Outdoor Play and Learning
Did you know that playtime is about 20% of every child’s day at school? That’s 1.4 years of every child’s life while they are at primary school. It is also, for many children, the only time they have to play outside regularly.
At Aragon Primary School, we believe that play is an essential part of childhood. Through OPAL, which stands for Outdoor Play and Learning, we provide rich, varied and inclusive play opportunities for all children. Our playtimes give children the chance to explore, imagine, create, collaborate and take appropriate risks. Whether they are building with crates, using loose parts, enjoying imaginative play, taking part in active games or choosing quieter activities, every child is encouraged to find play that is meaningful to them. OPAL supports children’s well-being, independence, resilience, communication and problem-solving skills. It also helps children build friendships, show responsibility and develop a strong sense of belonging.
We are proud to have achieved the OPAL Gold Award, recognising our commitment to high-quality play. At Aragon, OPAL is a key part of helping every child to be the best they can be.
For more information, visit: Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) primary programme.
"The school's embedded OPAL play transforms lunchtimes into a vibrant, fun, and highly creative experience where children of mixed ages and genders engage harmoniously in unstructured play, fostering an impressive sense of calmness, self-regulation, and high engagement across the playground." School Review June 2026
We are ecstatic to reveal that Aragon has achieved the remarkable milestone of the OPAL Gold Award. Our OPAL Mentor, Cath, said that the dedication to transforming the school grounds through the OPAL Primary programme has created a vibrant and engaging play environment for every child.
Highlights from our end of programme report reveal, "significant improvements in playtime enjoyment, with staff noting a joyful atmosphere where children take ownership of their play spaces. The introduction of diverse play opportunities—ranging from a popular sandpit and mud kitchen to imaginative arts and crafts—has fostered physical skills, social interaction, and emotional well-being among students.
The varied natural features and thoughtful layout encourage exploration and movement, while small social spaces and creative zones invite children to connect and engage with one another. The strong support from parents and governors reflects a shared commitment to enriching children's play experiences.
Ongoing efforts to refine safety systems and expand play resources demonstrate a proactive approach to maintaining a safe and stimulating environment. Positive feedback from both parents and staff highlights the success of these initiatives, underscoring the inclusive, warm, and challenging atmosphere that characterises Aragon.
As the school continues its OPAL journey, with aspirations for Platinum awards, the community can look forward to even more exciting developments in the years to come. Together, they celebrate the joy of play and the wonderful opportunities it brings to all children at Aragon!"
"Lunchtime provision is exceptional. The Opal programme is embedded; children play harmoniously and purposefully across a range of mixed age groups, with a vast assortment of rich and exciting high quality resources. The whole outside area is used effectively and creatively; staff have been trained exceptionally well and children know what risks each activity holds and use equipment carefully and safely with this in mind. An adapted Opal lunchtime provision has been designed for children who need a different experience; this is used well and provides a positive experience for those children using it." School Review October 2024
Our OPAL Grounds Plan
Our OPAL provision continues to grow and develop each year. As part of our annual grounds plan, we review our outdoor spaces, listen to pupil voice and identify new opportunities to enrich play across the school. This helps us plan carefully for future additions to our OPAL provision, ensuring that our play spaces remain exciting, inclusive and purposeful for all children. See our 25-26 Plan below:
OPAL Zones
Our outdoor spaces are organised into a range of OPAL zones, each with its own distinct style and purpose. These zones help children choose the type of play that suits them, whether they want to be active, imaginative, social, creative or calm.
For example, our Green Zone is our sensory and creative zone, offering opportunities for children to explore, design, make and play in a calmer, more imaginative space.
Each zone is carefully planned to support safe, purposeful and inclusive play, while giving children the freedom to make choices, develop independence and enjoy rich play experiences every day.
Green Zone:
