🛝 OPAL Play at Ladybrook

Outdoor Fun with Purpose

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🌟 Our Ethos: Play with Heart and Purpose

At The Flying High Academy Ladybrook, we believe that play is a vital part of every child’s development — not just a break from learning, but a powerful opportunity to grow, connect, and thrive.

As an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) school, we are committed to creating a play culture that reflects our core values of Care, Aspiration, Responsibility, and Enjoyment. We want every child to feel safe, included, and inspired during playtimes — because happy children learn best.

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🌳 Our Commitment to Outstanding Play

We are proud to be part of the OPAL programme, which supports schools in transforming playtimes into rich, inclusive, and purposeful experiences. Our commitment includes:

• Providing high-quality outdoor spaces that encourage creativity, exploration, and movement
• Ensuring every child has access to meaningful play, every day, in all weathers
• Embedding play into our school culture, with staff trained to support and celebrate positive play
• Listening to children’s voices and involving them in shaping their play environment

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🚀 Our Progress So Far

Since launching OPAL at Ladybrook, we’ve made exciting strides in improving play across the school:

• Introduced loose parts play with tyres, crates, planks, and fabric
• Created den building zones using natural materials
• Developed mud kitchens and water play areas for sensory exploration
• Added role play stations with dressing-up clothes and props
• Established quiet zones for reading, drawing, and relaxing outdoors
• Enhanced our pond area for nature-based learning and reflection
• Celebrated positive play through the Golden Wellie Award, recognising children who follow the OPAL Play Charter

Children now enjoy a wider variety of play experiences, build stronger friendships, and show increased confidence and creativity during playtimes.

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🥇 Celebrating Positive Play

We encourage children to follow the OPAL Play Charter, which promotes kindness, respect, and responsibility during play.
Each week, one child is awarded the Golden Wellie for outstanding contribution to our play community — a moment of pride and celebration.

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🤝 Why OPAL Matters

OPAL play supports:

• Physical health and wellbeing
• Emotional resilience and confidence
• Social skills and friendships
• Problem-solving and independence
• A sense of belonging and joy

Play is a right, not a privilege — and at Ladybrook, we make sure every child has the opportunity to play freely, safely, and meaningfully every day.