"Springfield Infant School and Nursery has just achieved Platinum award status from OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning. This means that they are in the top 0.5% of UK schools for the quality of the play they provide for all their children. The school has demonstrated that it takes the UNCRC Article 31, the child's right to play, seriously and is implementing all stages of school improvement in relation to play, including policy, planning, resourcing, staffing and evaluation." Michael Follett BA Hons Ed, PGCE OPAL Founder and Director

We are proud of the developments we have made to playtimes through the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) project. We aim to make play times and lunchtimes as enjoyable as possible and through the project, our goal is that children are able to lead their own play by working together, use their imagination and creativity; the adult's role is to facilitate this play. We also see the purpose of playtimes and lunchtimes as an opportunity for the children to learn how to socialise appropriately and make friends. The children have access to a wide range of activities; we are lucky to have both an outdoor gym and a gym trail on our field area. It also has a sandpit and digging area as well as a quiet sheltered space where children can read books with their friends or sit quietly. Adjoining the field is our wildlife area where children can explore, play and take part in planting activities. On the playground we have two sheltered areas which are used for quiet activities such as small world play, drawing and playing games. It has a wooden bus, a staged area, a castle and puppet theatre. There are also dedicated spaces where children can use bikes and scooters, or practice their football or basketball skills.