Our OPAL Vision

Opal's vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions.

We completely endorse this vision - our aim is to ensure that all of our children experience at least an hour of high-quality play every day.

Our OPAL Team at Joy Lane Primary School

Mrs Ames  - Play Coordinator
Contact - pames@joylane.kent.sch.uk

Mrs Wippich - Play Coordinator
Contact - ewippich@joylane.kent.sch.uk

 

Mrs Pout - Play Coordinator

 

Mr Ashley-Jones - Curricular Lead for SLT

 

Mrs Rogers - Curricular Lead for SLT

How are we implementing this in our School?

We are currently underway with our exciting new project to make our playtimes even better, in conjunction with Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL). The intention is that it will change the way we think and how we play together, and it will enable us to maximise the amazing space we have here at Joy Lane. 

Staff have had initial training and the children have been introduced to the concept of OPAL play and we are in the process of collecting resources to launch this new approach. We have set up a 'Wish List', as well as a catalogue of smaller items the school are seeking to help implement this scheme. The sooner we do this, the sooner the children will be able to play with the items! Any contribution, however big or small, will be greatly received by the school staff - and of course, the children!

Do you have any donations that we may be able to use?

If so, please email Mrs Ames or Mrs Wippich our Opal Play Coordinators, or you can call contact them via the school office (01227 261430) and they will let you know if it is something that we can use.  

Click the link to visit our OPAL Play Wish List: https://www.amazon.co.uk/registries/gl/guest-view/1SB27FDI31BKA

OPAL is an award-winning, mentor-supported programme that is enabling Joy Lane to improve the quality of play opportunities for all children. OPAL is the only programme of its kind that has been independently proven to sustainably improve the quality of play in British primary schools, and after our first year of OPAL, our children, parents and the wider community are enjoying the benefits of this different approach to playtimes.

Playtimes include water play, den building, the use of mud kitchens, scooter tracks, dressing up, imaginary/role play and loose parts activities. Children’s behaviour during playtimes is excellent and the support from the community has already resulted in many new resources, such as a new performance stage and beach-themed sandpit.

‘Playtimes are enhanced with outdoor play and learning opportunities, leading to a delightful buzz outside.’

April 2024 Ofsted Inspection

Our new OPAL Stage

 

We were delighted to return to school after the summer holidays to discover that one of our lovely parents and his Dad spent time over the break designing, sourcing the best materials and building a fantastic outdoor performance stage for the children of Joy Lane Primary school.

A huge thanks must go to Mr Mike Young and his Dad, Graham, for not only the performance stage, but also using the offcuts to create three lovely mud kitchens as well. These resources will be well-used throughout the curriculum and in particular, be an excellent addition to OPAL playtimes. I would also like to thank Mrs Dodd's class from last year and parents for raising over £400 towards the cost of the materials needed.

You can claim your little piece of JLPS History by buying an engraved name plaque here for a minimum of £5, which will be placed on the stage. This is such a welcome addition to the school, and we feel very lucky to have such wonderful parents.

Our new OPAL Sandpit

The finished result!

 

Pictures coming soon of our children enjoying the new sandpit!

Teacher Feedback so far ...

Here's some feedback from our wonderful Joy Lane teachers on how OPAL has had a positive impact around our school already!

Opal Play has immensely supported friendships within Van Gogh class. Children are playing with different children and engaging with a variety of wonderful activities on offer. It has allowed them to develop new friendships or partake in activities more easily. This is then supporting children to be more confident in the classroom and helping to build self-esteem – Mrs C Fuller.

OPAL play has been fantastic at ensuring the children in my class are calm and focused when they return to their learning. It's lovely to hear that they have overcome challenges and persevered through different obstacles to meet some of their personal goals – Miss S Plowman.

OPAL play has given purpose back to playtimes and helped my Year 5 class play like children again. Instead of getting distracted by disagreements, they come in to lessons excited to tell me about what they created, imagined and achieved during their playtime – Mrs L Briggs

OPAL Play in action at Joy Lane

  

Amazon Wish List

We have set up a 'Wish List', as well as including a catalogue of smaller items that the school is seeking to continue to embed this scheme within our school community. Any contribution, however big or small, will be greatly received by the school staff - and of course the children!

Find our OPAL Play Wish List here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/registries/gl/guest-view/1SB27FDI31BKA