Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) CIC

Thank you. If you would like to become a campaign supporter, you can sign up here: activeuniform.org/who-we-are/ 😊

#MadeToMove #play #learn
🧡 these concepts.

We are delighted to launch Getting it Right for Play - our updated play space assessment toolkit today for #Playday2025

Packed with useful tips and relevant case studies, our resource gives step-by-step advice and tools to assess and improve play spaces.

www.playscotland.org/resources/ge...

A photo of two children playing outdoors in a mud pit on a school field. They are wearing head to toe waterproofs and are using a play digger.

Today is #Playday2025 – the annual celebration of children's right to play – and this year's theme is #SpacesForPlay!

We are proud to support this important movement. And, through our work with schools, we are committed to making sure every child has amazing play every day.

An advert for a job as an OPAL mentor. Text reads: We are hiring! Are you passionate about outdoor play? Could you support primary schools to transform their culture, playgrounds and practice? Apply today! The graphic has the OPAL logo in the top left and a photo of a child playing outdoors at school.

Are you passionate about play? We are looking for a new mentor to work in the West of England region, supporting schools in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. For more details, please email rachel@opalcic.org. Deadline is 25 August 2025 at 5pm.

YouTube video by Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Tips for amazing play at home

Looking for tips for amazing play at home over the summer holidays? In this clip from our ‘Play every day’ webinar, OPAL Founder Michael Follett shares his top tips to help parents and carers create amazing play opportunities at home.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp6V...

The pledge - Active Uniform Alliance Children are made to move, their clothing should be too Vision and overview The campaign’s vision is for every UK primary school to adopt a uniform that enables children to move, play and learn all da...

If you're feeling inspired to adopt an always active uniform in your school, sign the pledge! activeuniform.org/the-pledge/

A child swinging on a rope and tyre swing in a school playground. They are smiling and looking at the camera.

The Primary PE and Sport Premium supports #PrimarySchools to sustainably improve the quality of the PE, physical activity and sport. Here is your guide on how you can use the #funding to improve active play in your school: bit.ly/4l2jxfX
#OPALSchools

A photo of children in the playground at school. They are wearing blue polo shirts and black trousers or shorts.

Amazing to see #OPALSchools flying the flag for always active uniforms across the ITV regions this evening, alongside our founder Michael Follett 🥳 Catch the story on ITV West Country (at 09:31): www.itv.com/watch/news/c...
#ActiveUniformAlliance

Curious about OPAL? Come see... Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Programme.

Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Programme. www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

School recognised for its commitment to outdoor play A school has been recognised for its commitment to outdoor play.

"We believe play is a vital part of children’s development."

www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/2529794...

Congratulations to St Bernard’s and all the #OPALSchools that have recently received their awards 🥳

If you're interested in starting OPAL in your school, use our contact form to get in touch with your local OPAL mentor 😊

outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/contact-us/

Primary school becomes first in town to get prestigious accreditation A Wollaston primary school has become the first in Stourbridge to be awarded a platinum OPAL accreditation.

Congratulations to St James’s CE Primary School and all the other amazing #OPALSchools that have recently received their awards 👏

www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/2526106...

#PlanForPlay #PlayMatters #PrimarySchools #Headteachers

YouTube video by Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Made to Move

The #MadeToMove campaign is calling for all primary schools to adopt an always active uniform that enables children to move, play and learn all day! Will your school sign the pledge? Find out more and sign up here: www.activeuniform.org #ActiveUniformAlliance
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzKV...

Curious about OPAL? Come see... Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Come along to one of our OPAL school open days! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Programme. Find one near you: www.eventbrite.com/cc/curious-a...

Messy? Yes.
100% washable? Also yes. 🌧️

Mud play is more than dirt—it’s discovery.
Children explore, imagine, and grow through every squelch and splash.
🌱 Sensory development
🧠 Creative thinking
💚 Emotional wellbeing

Let them get muddy—it all washes off, but the benefits stick.

Children’s charities call on schools to relax uniform rules They believe the change could mean kids staying fitter and healthier at playtime.

"I feel really much more free because I can run around."

Fantastic to hear from the wonderful Newtongrange Primary School about why they have adopted an always active uniform: news.stv.tv/v/childrens-... @playscotland.bsky.social @cfyounglives.bsky.social @ltlnews.bsky.social

YouTube video by Sky News FYI: School ditches blazers and skirts for sporty uniform

Great to hear about the impact of changing to always active uniforms this National School Sports Week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAFT...

Find out more about always active uniforms, here: activeuniform.org/active-unifo...

#NSSW2025 #ActiveUniformAlliance #MadeToMove

Lots of bikes and a track marked out in tyres

A goal and some “loose parts” (cone, tyres pan and colander)

Lots of loose parts, benches and other play things.

Popped into my daughter’s old primary school this morning and so pleased to see the playground full of all sorts of play equipment, a result of engaging with @opal-cic.bsky.social for the last couple of years (sadly after my daughter left). Amazing work!

Curious about OPAL? Come see... Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

Interested in starting OPAL in your primary school? Come along to one of our open days (www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...) or request a free inro meeting (outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/contact-us/) 😁

Oxfordshire primary school 'thrilled' to receive award for outdoor play Glory Farm Primary School said it is "absolutely thrilled" to have received an award for its outdoor learning and play offering.

"Every child is engaged during unstructured time with an immense variety of activities including physical and sensory play." Charlotte Smith, assistant headteacher at Glory Farm Primary School.

#OPALSchools #PlanForPlay

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2523312...

Calls for schools to ditch formal uniforms to help kids be more active Schools that have already changed their uniform policy say is allows children to play for longer.

"The children are much more comfortable and we can jump up and get active at any time in the day."

#ActiveUniformAlliance #MadeToMove
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today our year-long Raising the Nation Play Commission into why play is critical to the wellbeing and development of children publishes its Final Report, #EverythingToPlayFor.

It’s time to reclaim childhood with a National Play Strategy for England.

www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

A school child walks along a rope bridge. They are wearing a light blue polo shirt, a dark blue cardigan, black leggings and black trainers.

This International Day of Play, we’re calling on UK primary schools to adopt a uniform that helps children to move, learn and play all day! Sign the pledge now and make a commitment to introduce ‘always active uniforms’ in your school: activeuniform.org/take-the-ple...
#IDOP #MadeToMove

We're supporting the #MadeToMove campaign - calling for primary schools to adopt an always active uniform that allows children to move, PLAY and learn.

👉 activeuniform.org

#ActiveUniformAlliance @education-ni.gov.uk

School uniforms 'no good for running around' says Exeter expert A professor says we cannot complain children are not active enough when they are dressed in uniform.

"Everyone still looks smart and cohesive, but it's much more comfortable and suitable for physical activity."

@profhelendodd.bsky.social talking to BBC Devon today about the benefits of always active uniforms.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

#ActiveUniformAlliance #MadeToMove

Home - Active Uniform Alliance Introducing the Made to Move campaign Let’s redefine school uniforms for our children Watch the Made to Move campaign video Our vision is simple yet powerful Traditional uniforms restrict movement, li...

We’re proud to be a founding member of the #ActiveUniformAlliance – a group of organisations calling for primary schools to adopt an always active uniform that enables children to move, play and learn all day. Find out more about our #MadeToMove campaign, launching today! www.activeuniform.org

Love this! The power of play! #ScotEduSky #EduSky

Looking forward to welcoming people to our busy table at the
‪@childreninscotland.bsky.social #CiSAC25 Conference to talk all things play! #SpaceforVoices #playeveryday #moreplayplease

Curious about OPAL? Come see... Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

Thinking about starting the OPAL Primary Programme in your school? Come along to one of our open days and see an OPAL playtime in action! www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a... #OPALSchools