Why?

At Upwood Primary Academy, we believe that high-quality outdoor play is a crucial part of children’s development and learning. As an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) school, We aim to transform playtimes into a valuable, enriching part of the school day that enhances physical, emotional, social and cognitive development.

We aim to:

·       Ensure that all children have access to inclusive, high-quality play experiences every day, regardless of weather, age, gender, ability or background.

·       Recognise that play is a fundamental right of every child.

·       Promote holistic child development by providing diverse, open-ended and stimulating outdoor play opportunities.

·       Encourage creative risk-taking, resilience, independence, teamwork and social interaction through play.

·       Increase pupil well-being through meaningful play engagement.

·       Create a play culture that values and celebrates children’s voices, choices and agency.

By embedding the OPAL approach, we aim to become a beacon of excellence in outdoor play, fostering a culture where all children are respectful, safe, optimistic and full of wonder. Through inclusive and imaginative play, we nurture teamwork, build resilience and grow into confident, independent learners.