Over the last two years we have been working on our OPAL journey, striving to improve our lunchtime offer for children. We are delighted to announce that in November 2025 Harrow Lodge primary School achieved the prestigious OPAL Gold Award. Recieving the OPAL Gold Award puts Harrow Lodge in the top 4% of UK schools for the quality of play we provide for all our children. This award recognises that we have sustained high-quality outdoor play provision, leading to improved child well-being and enjoyment in school.
The following is a quote from our final evaluation:
The quality of play at Harrow Lodge has transformed immensely since commencing the OPAL Primary Programme. Children across KS1 and KS2 are now able to play together and have a choice about where they play, who with and with what. They have full access to the whole site, including both fields and woodland areas. During the lunchtime observation, children were seen chilling with their friends in their new ‘chill out zone’; creating some lovely art in the crafts zone; building imaginative constructions in the large loose parts, KitCamp and cardboard boxes zones; making huge chocolate cakes in the mud kitchen; digging steps down into the very deep and exciting digging area (where they have previously found some interesting items and also clay); climbing trees and balancing on large cable reels; playing with Lego and Jenga; leading dance routines with their friends; creating a super long hose in the water zone and whizzing around on scooters and bikes. Children were smiling and happy, playing harmonously with their friends. No children were seen to be upset or had to attend first aid during the lunchtime play. One member of staff explained how she loves OPAL and that her mantra is, ‘if in doubt, dance it out’! She loves that children are now always happy and having fun with their friends. She explained that there are very few disagreements and that children are never bored as there is so much to do. Another adult said she was supporting 3 SEND pupils who attend the Willow unit. They were joining in with their peers in the Quad area, accessing the sand, small world toys, Lego and cardboard boxes (previously they only ever accessed their own outdoor space). One KS2 girl said that her favourite thing to do at lunchtime was play in the water area. A year 3 boy explained how it used to be boring before OPAL and all there was to do was run around, but now he enjoys den building, playing on the field and playing with the Megablox with his friends. A group of KS2 children spoke about the rules that were in place to keep them safe and explained how they manage their own safety when playing with the cable reels (eg making sure it is secure and doesn’t roll away if you are trying to stand on it). At the end of lunchtime, children helped to tidy away the resources and many of the older pupils helped the younger children, especially with changing their wellies. Lunchtime play was a joy to behold!
We are extremely proud of our OPAL journey and will continue to work on developing our lunchtime provision.
Children spend 20% of their time in school playing and we believe that play is essential for physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development of each child. There are many benefits to the OPAL programme including:
- Improving playtimes for all children meaning happier children and children who come into the classroom ready to learn
- Improving our play spaces across the school making the most of our wonderful spaces and ensuring a fully inclusive play offer
- Develops our school values encouraging children to be creative, resilient, independent and collaborative whilst respecting those around them
- Improving behaviour at playtimes
- It’s fun!
OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is all about using naturally and man-made resources to allow children to be inspired and creative at playtime.
Our children have access to a wide range of materials, which they can use in their play. These include tyres, crates, wood, fabric, mud, wheeled toys and much more. Through regular play assemblies, they are taught about dynamic risk assessments and playing co-operatively with others.
We have OPAL leaders who are children from Year 5 who assist teh children at lunchtimes. This is a very important job which includes monitoring the play that is happening, supporting children in their play, reminding children of our OPAL play charter and genereally ensuring that all children are having fun!
We follow advice from the Health and Safety Executive, who support active play in schools.
“HSE fully recognises that play brings the world to life for children. It provides for an exploration and understanding of their abilities; helps them to learn and develop; and exposes them to the realities of the world in which they will live, which is a world not free from risk but rather one where risk is ever present. The opportunity for play develops a child’s risk awareness and prepares them for their future lives. (From the Health and Safety Executive’s Children’s play and leisure – promoting a balanced approach.)”
You can read our play policy here: Opal Play Policy
This year we have introduced our Golden Welly award which is awarded each week to two children, one from key stage 1 and one fro key stage 2. These
children are chosen by the play workers for their contribution to great OPAL play each week. This could include great collaborative play, super tidying up, good use of imagination, supporting the younger children to name but a few. This is a very coveted award and is awarded to the children during our celebration assembly each week.
“OPAL play makes the children’s breaks so much more fulfilling and is beneficial to build relationships and explore imagination.”
“It was lovely to spend the time with him learning his favourite places. I didn’t realise how much they had to play with!”
“It was wonderful to see the kids in this environment. The space they have available to them is vast and it is great to see so many different types of play. This will really encourage children to explore their interests and also try things they haven’t before.”
“How lucky are they to have a party every lunchtime!”
“My child has spoken fondly about OPAL since it started and the chalk, sand and mud on his shirt says it all!”
“I love that they have music playing every lunchtime.”
“Lots of very happy children with lots to do.”
“There’s a great choice of activities, every child has something to do and was engaged in play. Good to see the children using their imaginations and not glued to technology.”