Play

At Ninfield CE Primary School, we treat 'Play' as an essential component of our children's curriculum. Through playful learning opportunities and the chance to engage in unrestricted, self-directed play, we value the place that play has at the foundation of our children's development.

We appreciate the significant time that is given to unstructured playtimes each day, and therefore treat it accordingly by ensuring strategic development so that good play is not left to chance.

As such, in 2024-25, we have begun to review our play opportunities through engagement with OPAL (Outdoor Play And Learning).

With the involvement of our school mentor from OPAL, we have:

- completed audits with all stakeholders to evaluate existing play provision

- reviewed the school grounds for opportunities

- established a school policy for play (see below)

- put together an action plan to develop play over the coming months

In January 2025, we began our OPAL provision by introducing items such as DRESSING UP and BOARD GAMES.

In January 2025, we held our first ever GROUNDS DAY, where the whole school and wider community took responsibility for the development of the site to make a few changes to enhance playtimes for the children.

For example, our Music Wall above was created!