"Play is what I do when everyone else stops telling me what to do."

OPAL at Longlands

We just achieved a double platinum grading for our OPAL offer at Longlands!

See below for more information.

At Longlands, over the past 3 years we embarked on a very exciting project called Opal (Outdoor Play and Learning) which has totally changed the play opportunities for children at lunch and break times. Children spend 20% of their time at school at play and we are committed to make that the best it can possibly be. The children's resilience, imagination, friendships and happiness have all improved over the course of this project.

"Longlands Primary School has just achieved double Platinum award status from OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning. This means that they are in the top 1% of UK schools for the quality of the play they provide for all their children. The school has demonstrated that it takes the UNCRC Article 31, the child's right to play, seriously and is implementing all stages of school improvement in relation to play, including policy, planning, resourcing, staffing and evaluation." Michael Follett BA Hons Ed, PGCE OPAL Founder and Director

"HUGE congratulations on achieving your OPAL (Double) Platinum Award this afternoon. What a wonderful achievement. I could not be more proud of the dedicated and sustainable play offer the Working Group, Play Team and whole school continue to provide and create at Longlands Primary School. The environment you have created is truly child-led, engaging, creative and filled with happiness. It was an absolute joy to see your playtimes in action. There was so much amazing play happening at lunchtime. I particularly liked watching the children on the woodchip slide area, the amazing blacksmith's den, the creation of chalk pictures and the creativity with the scooters. It was wonderful to see so many children having such a lovely lunchtime. It's great to see how the school has developed a variety of areas to provide problem solving and critical thinking opportunities for all children, as well as places for rest and relaxation. The ability of your play team and all of your children to comprehensively demonstrate the Benefit- Risk process is impressive and well embedded in daily school life.  You have created a happy, joy-filled environment for the children at your school and should be really proud of your achievement." Becky Willans Opal school play mentor