View our Grounds
OPAL – Outdoor Play and Learning
Children spend 20% of their time at school playing. With this mind, at Tanfield Lea Community Primary School, we believe that play is a fundamental part of childhood, enriching children’s learning, development, and well-being. That’s why we are proud to be an OPAL school!
We introduced the first phase of OPAL to our children in 2016 and received the Platinum Award in 2017. It was a great success, transforming playtime – more children love being outside, no matter what the weather. Since then we have gone from strength to strength, developing our play offer for children and we are in the process of gaining reaccreditation (2025).
It has been a great success – more children are loving being outside, no matter what the weather, as there is now so much more to do.
Whether they choose to play with tyres and planks, digging in the sand pit, enjoy imaginative play in the small world area, playing with water, riding scooters or balance bikes, or playing with a wide range of loose parts, OPAL is offering a creative and exciting alternative to the regular activities on the yard.
What is OPAL?
OPAL is a nationally recognised programme that helps schools improve the quality of play opportunities for all children. OPAL encourages creative, active, and inclusive outdoor play, ensuring that every child has the chance to explore, socialise, and develop essential life skills through play.
The Benefits of OPAL
There are many proven benefits for schools that carry out the OPAL Primary Programme. By embracing OPAL at our school, we have transformed playtimes into rich, engaging experiences that support our pupils in numerous ways:
- Physical Development – movement, coordination, and strength-building, keeping active and healthy.
- Social Skills – Play provides opportunities to communicate with peers, to work as a team, cooperate with others and build friendships.
- Imagination and creativity – Open-ended play encourages problem-solving, innovation, and use of imagination.
- Resilience and Risk-Taking – Children learn to assess risks, develop confidence, and build resilience through discussions and their play experiences.
- Happiness and Well-Being – Outdoor play improves mood, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being, making our school a happier place for everyone.
We aim for our children to become motivated and enthusiastic explorers, designers, builders and engineers, however they choose to play.
Our OPAL Playground
Our dedicated Play Team have worked hard to develop our stimulating outdoor environment which includes a variety play zones. These include loose parts for imaginative play, natural spaces, messy and creative spaces, physical movement, and opportunities for children to explore and create their own adventures. A full list of areas can be seen below.
OPAL Award
The OPAL award has been introduced as an opportunity to celebrate the children and their wonderful play. Children can achieve this award for using their initiative during play, outstanding behaviour, being a kind friend or showing good teamwork. Each week, a member of the Opal play team will identify a child to win the award. This child is then presented with a certificate in assembly.
Join us on our OPAL journey
We are committed to developing our outdoor play even further, and we welcome the support of parents, carers, and the wider community.
We want to thank our families for their contributions of resources and loose parts. It is greatly appreciated by both our children and staff. It is vital that loose parts continue to be donated so we can further develop our outdoor areas. Please click on the attached poster to find out about the Loose Parts that can be donated.
We thank you in advance for any future donations!
If you would like to learn more about the OPAL Primary Programme please have a look at the OPAL website where you will find lots of useful information and videos about the programme.
The children devised their own Play Charter which is on display at various points in the outdoor play zones.
Please also see our Play Policy.
