Outdoor play and learning facility at Coventry school recognised as one of the best in the country
A Coventry school is celebrating after its outdoor play and learning facility was officially recognised as one of the best in the country.
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, has been awarded Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Platinum status, becoming the first school in the city to receive the mark which places it among the top one per cent of facilities in the UK.
The assessors, who visit facilities and award OPAL accreditations across the globe, commented that Sacred Heart’s transformation from launch to Platinum status in 18 months was the quickest they had seen.
Officially opening to pupils in May last year, staff worked with an OPAL mentor ahead of launch to learn how to make the most out of a range of play zones including a water area with a bath and taps, mud kitchen complete with pots, pans and aprons, a construction zone, sandpit, quiet spaces, music areas, and a woodland trail.
OPAL aims to provide each child with the best play time possible to improve their health, wellbeing and fitness and ensure they return to the classroom happy to help promote better learning.
Sacred Heart was the first school in Coventry to sign up to the initiative, and remains one of a handful across the West Midlands to put the scheme into action.
Sophie Newman, Teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, said: “During seven years at primary school, children spend 1.4 years on average at play. We started the OPAL journey as we wanted to ensure that all of our children experience amazing play opportunities every day.
“The assessors were absolutely blown away by the play provision we provide at Sacred Heart and were amazed by the journey we have been on over the last year or so.
“We are incredibly proud of this achievement and want to thank staff, parents and the wider school community for their amazing support. It wouldn't have been possible without them, and we are now looking forward to building on this and have some more exciting projects in the pipeline.
“It will take lots of support and effort to maintain this high standard, from financial support to donations of items to play with, to people volunteering their time - we are always looking at ways we can continue to develop our play environment. If any businesses or individuals are able to support us in our goal to get the most out of playtime for our children, please get in touch with the school office.”