At Fatfield Academy, we believe play is not “just play” — it is an essential part of childhood and a vital part of learning.

That is why we are proud to embrace OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), a programme that transforms playtimes into rich opportunities for creativity, exploration, problem-solving and joy.

Children spend around 20% of their school life at playtime — the equivalent of more than 1 year of their primary education. Through OPAL, we make sure that time is meaningful, active and full of opportunities to grow.

 

 

At Fatfield Academy, we believe play is not “just play” — it is an essential part of childhood and a vital part of learning.

That is why we are proud to embrace OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), a programme that transforms playtimes into rich opportunities for creativity, exploration, problem-solving and joy.

Children spend around 20% of their school life at playtime — the equivalent of more than 1 year of their primary education. Through OPAL, we make sure that time is meaningful, active and full of opportunities to grow.

 

Celebrating Our OPAL Success

At Fatfield Academy, we are incredibly proud of our commitment to high-quality play opportunities for every child.

Our dedication to outdoor play has been recognised through achieving the prestigious Honours OPAL Award — this is because we have received 3 consecutive platinum awards. This outstanding achievement reflects the hard work of our staff, the enthusiasm of our children, and the support of our wider school community in creating exceptional play experiences.

 

What OPAL Looks Like at Fatfield Academy

At Fatfield Academy, OPAL means giving children freedom to:

• build and create
• use imagination
• be active
• connect with nature
• explore movement and challenge  
• invent games and adventures
• play together across friendships and year groups

Our outdoor spaces become places where children can learn, laugh, discover and thrive.

Every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of play.

At Fatfield Academy, we make that happen every day.