OPAL Play

OPAL Play - Amazing play, everyday, for every child

We are delighted to have been awarded the Platinum Award (April 2023)

At Dunalley, OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is more than just playtime—it’s a key part of a child’s development. OPAL helps children stay active, build confidence, and develop social skills, all while enjoying the outdoors. It sparks creativity, supports wellbeing, and makes learning fun and inclusive.

Here’s a fun fact: a child who starts in Reception and leaves at the end of Year 6 will spend the equivalent of one whole year enjoying OPAL play! That’s a year of fresh air, friendships, and unforgettable experiences.

Why OPAL Play Matters:

Improves physical health and fitness
Reduces stress and boosts happiness
Builds teamwork and social skills
Sparks creativity and imagination
Encourages independence and confidence
Supports classroom learning
Inclusive for all abilities

We firmly believe that all children have the right to play and the right to learn as they engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to their age.

Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) is an award-winning programme that transforms play in primary schools and has been proven to sustainably improve its quality. At Dunalley, OPAL creates happier lunchtimes, boosts mental wellbeing, and fosters a positive school culture.

Our Play Partners support active, inclusive play during lunchtimes, and we follow an “access all areas, in all weathers” approach. Children enjoy rich, varied environments with a wide range of equipment and loose parts, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and essential life skills that cannot be taught in the classroom.

Read HERE about our Commitment to Positive Play Every Day

Our Vision for Play at Dunalley is simply that we believe every child at Dunalley should enjoy an hour of high-quality play every day—no exceptions.

Play is not just about making children a little happier or making lunchtimes easier; it’s about creating a cultural shift. Play is fundamental to children’s physical and mental wellbeing, and we are committed to making it a priority for every child.

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

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.

Positive Behaviour at Dunalley

At Dunalley Primary School, we believe that good behaviour is central to a happy and successful learning environment. Our Positive Behaviour Policy ensures that every child feels safe, respected, and ready to learn.

We want the children in our care to feel safe and enjoy learning in a nurturing and stimulating environment.
We believe that we have an important role to play in helping to shape rounded, determined young people who can face the challenges of the modern world with confidence and acknowledge that positive behaviour traits are at the heart of learning.

Our Core Values

Ready, Respectful, Safe – these are the foundations of our school culture.
We teach and celebrate positive behaviour traits through the Commando Joe’s RESPECT curriculum, focusing on:
- Resilience
- Empathy
- Self-Awareness
- Passion
- Excellence
- Communication
- Teamwork

What Families Can Expect

Clear expectations for behaviour in school and on trips.
Regular praise and recognition for positive behaviour.
Supportive, restorative approaches when things go wrong.
Collaboration between school and families to help children thrive.

Our Approach

Recognition: Verbal praise, certificates, and celebration in assemblies.
Restorative Conversations: Helping children understand the impact of their actions and make things right.
Support: Tailored strategies for children who need extra help, including SEND considerations.

Further Information

You can read our full Positive Behaviour Policy HERE

Read HERE how you can help our OPAL Play initiative

Provide appropriate clothing: To enable children to make the very most of what OPAL has to offer it is essential that all children are kitted out with waterproof coats and wellingtons (clearly named) which will stay in school every day, allowing children to access all areas in all weather and get the most out of their OPAL experience.

We have various zones around the school, and as many of these zones are muddy it is quite likely that clothes will get wet and dirty. Waterproof trousers and/or a change of clothes are highly recommended to protect the children's school clothes.

You can donate: Our OPAL team have worked tirelessly to create a fabulous environment for the children to explore at lunch times, with an array of wonderful activities and opportunities for creative play.

We are always seeking donations for OPAL so when you decide to have a spring clean please keep us in mind, we regularly ask for donations in our weekly newsletters.

OPAL at Dunalley – we love what OPAL has allowed us to be. See a glimpse of our OPAL experience in our gallery below.