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.

Playing outdoors in rich play environments is one of the best ways for children to develop social skills, build resilience, make more friends, be more creative and care more about the planet. Right now, this is more important than ever.Here at Aragon, we participate in the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) primary programme, which is endorsed and supported by Sport England and runs in hundreds of schools across the UK and worldwide.

                             

To facilitate this project, we need to buy some new resources, move some things around on the playground and we will also require some loose parts. Loose parts are any materials that can be easily moved, combined, and incorporated into children's free play. We are reaching out to our wider school community to donate some loose parts for our children to play with.

The items we are looking for will enable us to enjoy a wider range of play experiences during playtime (see below for some examples):

Suitcases of any size and type	Buckets	Noodles (the type you use in the swimming pool!)
Anything on wheels/castors	Nets and ropes	Wooden pallets
Plastic milk crates	Keyboards	Pegs (to help to set up dens)
Briefcases, especially hard cased one)	Fabric (large sheets/brightly coloured fabric)	Guttering
Road signs and cones	Foam sheets / body boards	Tubes of various sizes and various materials
Kitchen pots, pans, baking trays, worktables, wooden spoons, chopping boards	Metal frames	Cable drums
Tools like spades, trowels and brooms	Pop-Up tents	Dressing-up clothes

                           

 

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!"