Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) CIC
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opal-cic.bsky.social
Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) CIC
@opal-cic.bsky.social
340 followers 180 following 86 posts
Helping schools to strategically and sustainably improve their play opportunities. www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk #OPALSchools #PlanForPlay
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opal-cic.bsky.social
#OPALSchools see dramatic improvements in behaviour, staff wellbeing, attendance, and much more. If you want to see an OPAL playtime in action, why not come along to one of our open days? You can browse events and book your free place, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...
Children play outdoors at school. One hangs from a tree and another looks on, smiling.
November 13, 2025 at 7:47 PM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Wishing our community of #OPALSchools a happy half term 🥳
Three children holding up their muddy hands to the camera.
October 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Are you a headteacher interested in improving playtimes and based around Blackpool? Join us at Westcliff Primary Academy on 10 October to see an OPAL playtime in action and to hear more about the OPAL Primary Programme. Book your free place here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-intere...
Muddy wellies outdoors on a rack.
September 22, 2025 at 8:40 AM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Want to join the OPAL team and be part of the mission to make amazing play part of every child's day?
We're looking for a new mentor to work in the West of England. For more details, please email rachel@opalcic.org. Deadline is 25 August 2025 at 5pm. Please share 🙏
An advert for a job as an OPAL mentor. Text reads: We are hiring! Are you passionate about outdoor play? Could you support primary schools to transform their culture, playgrounds and practice? Apply today! The graphic has the OPAL logo in the bottom left and a photo of a child playing outdoors at school.
August 15, 2025 at 8:44 AM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Today is #Playday2025 – the annual celebration of children's right to play – and this year's theme is #SpacesForPlay!

We are proud to support this important movement. And, through our work with schools, we are committed to making sure every child has amazing play every day.
A photo of two children playing outdoors in a mud pit on a school field. They are wearing head to toe waterproofs and are using a play digger.
August 6, 2025 at 7:55 AM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Are you passionate about play? We are looking for a new mentor to work in the West of England region, supporting schools in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. For more details, please email rachel@opalcic.org. Deadline is 25 August 2025 at 5pm.
An advert for a job as an OPAL mentor. Text reads: We are hiring! Are you passionate about outdoor play? Could you support primary schools to transform their culture, playgrounds and practice? Apply today! The graphic has the OPAL logo in the top left and a photo of a child playing outdoors at school.
August 5, 2025 at 10:25 AM
opal-cic.bsky.social
The Primary PE and Sport Premium supports #PrimarySchools to sustainably improve the quality of the PE, physical activity and sport. Here is your guide on how you can use the #funding to improve active play in your school: bit.ly/4l2jxfX
#OPALSchools
A child swinging on a rope and tyre swing in a school playground. They are smiling and looking at the camera.
July 17, 2025 at 11:25 AM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Amazing to see #OPALSchools flying the flag for always active uniforms across the ITV regions this evening, alongside our founder Michael Follett 🥳 Catch the story on ITV West Country (at 09:31): www.itv.com/watch/news/c...
#ActiveUniformAlliance
A photo of children in the playground at school. They are wearing blue polo shirts and black trousers or shorts.
July 16, 2025 at 8:42 PM
opal-cic.bsky.social
This International Day of Play, we’re calling on UK primary schools to adopt a uniform that helps children to move, learn and play all day! Sign the pledge now and make a commitment to introduce ‘always active uniforms’ in your school: activeuniform.org/take-the-ple...
#IDOP #MadeToMove
A school child walks along a rope bridge. They are wearing a light blue polo shirt, a dark blue cardigan, black leggings and black trainers.
June 11, 2025 at 7:30 AM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay to all our amazing #OPALSchools and to everyone making outdoor play and learning part of every child's day!

How are you celebrating?
A group pf children playing outdoors at school. One child in the foreground is jumping in the air.
May 8, 2025 at 7:20 AM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Happy #InternationalDayOfHappiness to all the amazing #OPALSchools that are bringing joy to children every day through play 🤩
A photo of children in the playground at school. They are jumping around and have smiles on their faces. A staff member is joining in and has their hands in the air clapping.
March 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Playtime makes up 20% of a child’s primary school life, so we should approach play as if it is a curricular area.

If you're a primary school headteacher interested in unlocking the power of play, request an intro meeting via our contact form:
www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/contact-us
March 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
opal-cic.bsky.social
We are seeking an OPAL mentor in the South of England! Interested? Find out more and download the full job description on our website: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/jobs/
#JobVacancy #Education #Play
A photo of a group of children playing in a sandpit at school. It is a sunny day and the children look deep in concentration.
January 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
opal-cic.bsky.social
Happy new year everyone! We look forward to working with you in 2025 to make sure all children have amazing playtimes every day.
A green graphic with gold bunting and stars that has white text overlaid that says 'happy new year 2025'.
January 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
opal-cic.bsky.social
A huge thank you to everyone who supported Project Play's #PlayForEveryChild fundraising campaign in the Autumn 💚
A photo of two children playing outdoors. The words 'thank you' are at the top of the graphic and the Project Play logo is in the top left. In the bottom left is a graphic that reads 'Every child deserves and space to play.' A graphic that reads: 'A huge thank you to everyone who supported our match-funding campaign - whether you donated, shopped our totes, or shared our posts. Because of you, we've raised £18,125 - which is being doubled by the amazing OPAL CIC to a total of £36,250.' This will facilitate...' A graphic that reads: '145 sessions. 370 hours of play. Every penny raised goes directly to sustaining our service, creating space for children on the move to play, grow and learn.' A photo of two children playing outside with some graphics and text overlaid. A large circular graphic in the middle reads: 'Every child deserves a space to play.' Below this, white text on an orange background reads: 'Together, we're working to create a world in which no child is denied access to their right to play. Thank you for believing in #PlayForEveryChild.
December 17, 2024 at 11:49 AM