{"id":80,"date":"2024-11-21T08:55:42","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T08:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk\/?page_id=80"},"modified":"2025-08-30T13:20:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T13:20:03","slug":"benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.webwisehosting.co.uk\/opal\/evidence\/benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

Why do schools need great play?<\/h2>\n\t

Childhood has changed and we can no longer assume that any child is able to experience full and rich play opportunities outside of school.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\"Rectangle-72\"\n\t

At OPAL, we believe that play teaches children all of the things that need to be learnt but cannot be taught.<\/h3>\n

There are clearly lots of benefits to children from having lots of great play, but the good news is that there are many benefits for schools too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t

You’ll be amazed at the benefits, including dramatic improvements in the following areas:<\/h3>\n\t

Behaviour<\/h5>\n

Happy children don’t cause nearly as much trouble as bored children.<\/p>\n\t

Accidents<\/h5>\n

OPAL schools have up to 80% less reported accidents.<\/p>\n\t

Staff wellbeing<\/h5>\n

Supervising happier children leads to happier staff.<\/p>\n\t

SLT time<\/h5>\n

Senior leaders report a dramatic reduction in the time they spend on resolving play conflicts.<\/p>\n\t

Teachers<\/h5>\n

Consistently report more teaching time in afternoon lessons.<\/p>\n\t

Self-regulation<\/h5>\n

Children in OPAL schools learn to self-regulate through practise, trust and freedom.<\/p>\n\t

Physical activity<\/h5>\n

All children, including girls, SEN and non-sporty children are significantly more active.<\/p>\n\t

Mental wellbeing<\/h5>\n

Research shows OPAL children are happier and self-report improved mental health.<\/p>\n\t

Social and emotional development<\/h5>\n

Good play in the laboratory of life where relationships are practised.<\/p>\n\t

Links to formal learning<\/h5>\n

Many OPAL schools report increased creativity, imagination and collaborative skills.<\/p>\n\t

Attendance<\/h5>\n

Children can’t wait to come to OPAL schools because they have so much fun.<\/p>\n\t

Parents<\/h5>\n

We all want our children to be happy. Well-informed parents at OPAL schools love it that their children are happier.<\/p>\n\t

Rights<\/h5>\n

Play is a child’s right as recognised by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.<\/p>\n\t

Ofsted<\/h5>\n

OPAL schools can easily provide evidence on their approach to wellbeing and inclusion.<\/p>\n\t

Risk<\/h5>\n

OPAL schools report significant improvements in children’s ability to identify and manage risk.<\/p>\n\t

Grounds<\/h5>\n

Big or small, OPAL will help you make the best use of all your grounds, all the year.<\/p>\n\t

What does the OPAL programme involve?<\/h3>\n

The OPAL Primary Programme comprises of the following structured sessions spread over 18-24 months or as long as the school needs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet started\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

Join the OPAL community<\/h3>\n

Hundreds of new schools each year are discovering the many benefits of the OPAL Primary Programme. Through our online platform OPAL College, free monthly online meetings, newsletters and interschool visits, we are building an international community of schools.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoin today\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why do schools need great play? Childhood has changed and we can no longer assume that any child is able to experience full and rich play opportunities outside of school. At OPAL, we believe that play teaches children all of the things that need to be learnt but cannot be taught. 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