Whitehaven school welcomes MP to celebrate playtime award
St Begh’s Primary School in Whitehaven has recently achieved the OPAL Platinum Award, putting their playtimes in the top 2% for the whole of the UK.
Josh McAllister MP, Minister for Children and Families, attended the school’s award celebration in early May. He was joined by OPAL Mentor for Cumbria, Anna Dutson, who said:
“It was great to meet MP Josh McAllister at St Begh’s celebration assembly. He understands the importance of quality playtimes in schools and talked to children and parents about the benefits of being active outdoors in an increasingly digital world.”
These benefits are being seen across more than 30 schools in Cumbria, with more and more schools enrolling on the OPAL Primary Programme since Anna started working in the region in 2023. But the benefits don’t start and end with more physical activity. Children in OPAL schools:
- Are happier and self-report improved mental health.
- Learn to self-regulate through practise, trust and freedom.
- Have increased creativity, imagination and collaborative skills.
Discover all the benefits of better playtimes on the OPAL website.
OPAL in action
Start your OPAL journey today
The OPAL Primary Programme is a mentor-supported school improvement programme addressing all 18 areas a school must plan for if they want to sustainably improve the quality of play. The programme blends elements of strategic school improvement practice, action planning, self-evaluation, playwork skills and knowledge, and 20 years of action-research.
If you are interested in starting the OPAL Primary Programme and want to see what it looks like in practice, come along to a North East or Cumbria showcase event. If you’re ready to start OPAL in your primary school now, get started on the OPAL website.
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