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Parents heard how high-quality play helps children develop resilience, communication, creativity and problem-solving skills, while supporting their physical and emotional wellbeing. Families then joined pupils outside to experience OPAL first-hand, spending the afternoon building dens, digging, climbing, painting, crafting and exploring the academy’s growing outdoor spaces.
Since introducing OPAL, Huntingdon Academy has created a range of dedicated play zones, including mud kitchens, sand and water play, construction areas, wheeled toy tracks and imaginative role play. Children are encouraged to take the lead in their play, working together to solve problems and build friendships across the school. The school launched a new team of OPAL Play Ambassadors, giving pupils the chance to champion positive play and help shape the future of the school’s outdoor provision.
The event also highlighted Huntingdon Academy’s wider commitment to helping pupils become confident, compassionate and curious learners. Alongside OPAL, children take part in the school’s bespoke Nature School curriculum and grow fruit and vegetables in the school allotment, building on the success of the Ian Coates Memorial Garden, which won first prize in the Young Gardener category at the Nottingham City Best Gardener Awards.
Pupils also care for the school’s guinea pigs, Bob and Timothy, and regular visits from members of the local community, including police officers, give children the chance to ask questions and learn about different roles. Together, these experiences help children develop responsibility, practical life skills and a greater understanding of their community and the world around them.
“We’ve put a huge amount of work into transforming our outdoor spaces, so it was fantastic to be able to show families how our pupils are enjoying them. Seeing children confidently leading their own play and parents experiencing it alongside them was really special.
“Outdoor learning has become a real part of who we are at Huntingdon Academy. We’re creating an environment where children feel confident to explore and work together.”
“The event was a wonderful opportunity for families to see first-hand what OPAL looks like in practice and why play is such an important part of the school day. It was lovely to see parents and carers getting involved alongside the children, whether they were building dens, painting or exploring the different play areas together.
“The response from families was incredibly positive, and the afternoon gave us a real sense of how much enthusiasm there is for outdoor learning across our school community.”
