Break and Lunchtime
Did you know that playtime is about 20% of every child’s day at school? That’s 1.4 years of every child’s life while they are at primary school. It is also, for many children, the only time they have to play outside regularly. Playing outdoors in rich play environments is one of the best ways for children to develop social skills, build resilience, make more friends, be more creative and care more about the planet. Right now, this is more important than ever.
Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) primary programme
OPAL is an integral part of the day at Broadford Primary School with children taking part in OPAL activities every break and lunch. OPAL is endorsed and supported by Sport England and runs in hundreds of schools across the UK and worldwide. You can watch a video of how the OPAL programme has helped transform school playtimes here and read more on the OPAL website. Please find our OPAL Play Policy here.
Broadford Primary School OPAL Charter:
At our playtimes, we pledge to uphold the values of resilience, reciprocity, resourcefulness, and reflectiveness. These values will guide our interactions and behaviours as we engage in play together. We aim to create a positive and inclusive play environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
| Resourceful | Reciprocity |
| We will use our creativity and imagination to make the most of the resources available to us. We will find new ways to play with the materials and seek out opportunities for fun and exploration. | We will share, take turns, and collaborate with one another, recognising that play is more enjoyable when we work together. We will listen to each other’s ideas, respect each other, remembering to be kind and polite. |
| Resilience | Reflective |
| We will show determination and perseverance when faced with challenges.We will support each other in overcoming problems and learn from our mistakes to grow stronger together. | We will reflect on our play experiences, considering what we have learned and how we can improve in the future.We will ask for feedback from each other and suggestions to enhance our playtimes together. |
Risk Taking
Risk-taking is an essential feature of play provision, and of all environments in which children legitimately spend time at play. Play provision aims to offer children the chance to encounter acceptable risks as part of a stimulating, challenging and managed play environment. In the words of the play sector publication ‘Best Play’, play provision should aim to ‘manage the balance between the need to offer risk and the need to keep children and young people safe from harm’.
In addition to standard risk-benefit assessments the school will practise dynamic risk management with children, encouraging them to identify and manage risks in an environment where adults are present to support them.