Holsworthy Primary School in Torridge stands out as an example of innovation in play education as it initiated the Opal Play initiative to diversify play to enhance early learning. The agenda aims at enhancing a child’s well-being, improving social skills, and general learning simply by transforming play spaces into thrilling areas for them.
The school has undertaken large redesigns of the play areas and introduced some new elements, such as a zone for ‘muddy play’, an area for loose parts play, a wheelies zone, and climbing equipment. The enthusiasm was such that the children went home covered in mud, and the school responded by providing waterproof clothing and facilities for rinsing.
Knowing that play occupies 20% of a child’s time in school, which amounts to 1.4 years in primary education, Holsworthy Primary has committed itself to maximally taking advantage of this developmental period. At a time when most of the children spend more and more time with their screens compared to only five hours outdoors the same week, the school took proactive measures in an attempt to solve such problems.
Since Opal initiative was introduced in September, both staff members and parents showed great improvements about the well-being of children. This well-designed initiative increased happiness, reduced friendship conflicts, and enhanced engagement in learning. One teacher rated it as, “This is the best initiative I have seen in schools in ten years,” attesting to the great benefits created to change the students’ interaction and behavior.
Parents are contented with the changes, “it is small price to pay for their children’s joy and development in the muddy play,” they said. Their children “have settled considerably and appear to be eager to come to school,
The school’s intent to have an inclusive and enriching play environment is reflected in the idea of collaboration among different age groups, creating a spirit of community. Even with the plans that are already underway to expand on the resource and facility support, Holsworthy Primary School exemplifies how educational institutions can change with the children and help address the developmental needs of play through the learning process. Now, the children love to be in playtime so much, and they return to class with good faces. This is what Holsworthy Primary School Governor said as the school implemented this initiative towards realizing its vision of enabling children’s growth, learning, and flourishing through the transformative power of play.
