25/09/2026
OPAL update 💙
As part of our journey towards OPAL Play, we trialled our first Freedom Friday with KS2, giving children greater choice, independence and more time to play.
We listened to what our children had told us: they wanted more time to play, more freedom and less time waiting in the dining hall. KS2 children were trusted to choose when to eat across three lunch sittings and once they had eaten, could return to their play.
The trial was a real success, with a calm dining hall throughout, lots of smiles, cooperative play and children playing happily across different year groups. Most importantly, the children showed that they could manage this extra freedom responsibly. As we continue to develop the approach, our aim is to gradually involve KS1 too, creating even more opportunities for children across the school to play together.
OPAL Community Interest Company Outdoor People
