High Crags Leadership Academy has reinvented break and lunchtimes at the school with the help of local businesses and creative members of staff, replacing the traditional play activities with a range of enriching new experiences.
Recognising the decreasing opportunities for children to engage in outdoor play at home, the school has introduced OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) to create more opportunities for pupils to gain the benefits of fresh air and physical activity in a well-structured environment on the school grounds.
The school has replaced the traditional bats, balls and skipping ropes with equipment that encourages children to investigate, explore, invent and take measured risks. Pupils can get creative with cardboard, wooden boxes, tyres and plastic crates, and are encouraged to build dens, get hands-on in the mud kitchens and create obstacle courses.
A particularly popular new addition is a scooter track made from hundreds of tyres donated by a local garage. Larger tyres have become the focus of pupils wanting to hone their climbing skills, with the trees on the school grounds also utilised as staff-supervised climbing areas.
Pupils are encouraged to bring in their wellington boots and waterproof clothing so that the fields around the school can be utilised all year round, ensuring that outdoor play continues in all weather conditions.
Pupils have certainly been seeing the benefits, according to Vice Principal Chris Kimberley. He said:
“OPAL has transformed playtimes for our children. There is something for every child to engage with on our school grounds. Being able to explore and take risks in a safe, well-supervised and controlled environment has given our children the most wonderful experiences. Most importantly, children appear happier and they come back into lessons after lunchtime refreshed, smiling and ready to learn.”