Fatfield Academy, Washington, Sunderland

“Behaviour has improved greatly; our children have more to do and are therefore kept busy.” 

Before OPAL, our playtimes were very basic. Children couldn’t always access the field in all weathers and our yard was just a concrete square with two basketball hoops and a box of PE resources. Behaviour wasn’t great because there was little to do so we needed to do something. 

We began our OPAL journey to give our children more opportunities at lunchtime. 

Children love playtimes now. 

They love using the large construction area to build dens using their imagination, creativity and critical thinking skills. They are always coming up with new designs. Behaviour has improved greatly; our children have more to do and are therefore kept busy. 

Children can go freely between yards so children across school are mixing regardless of age.  This supports younger children with their development and older children with their creativity and imagination.

OPAL gives our children opportunities that they may not have elsewhere.  

Our children love that they have access to all areas and more equipment. It’s nice to watch the children persevere using the equipment such as riding a bike without stabilisers for the first time, learning to jump unaided on a pogo stick or skate around the yard in roller skates.

Staff enjoy seeing what the children come up with and that each day is different. Our parents enjoy coming along to our OPAL play days. Additionally, they support us with gathering resources and fundraising. 

Stacey Grotz, Fatfield Academy