Lady Joanna Thornhill (Endowed) Primary School
Learning for the Head, Heart and Hand
Curiosity
Compassion
Resilience
Collaboration
Curiosity
Compassion
Resilience
Collaboration
OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning)
OPAL play aligns with our curriculum vision of learning with the Head, Heart and Hand. As children plan and create their own play they will think though scenarios, solve problems, overcome intellectual challenges and develop strategies so building skills of critical thinking. Our children will work in collaboration with their peers whilst using a wide range of resources and environments. Through shared ownership and responsibility of these environments and resources they will support each other; deepening their friendships and building empathy and compassion. Such play will help them learn how to compromise, negotiate, share, guide, lead and nurture. Their creations will be independently made, and while some play might be imaginary, some may be physical – building structures both large and small, creating potions, putting materials together and using resources in new, creative ways.
Children will be supported in managing their own safety and the safety of their resources, so building competence in defining their boundaries and creating their own challenges. Together they will support each other to aim high and pursue ambitious personal goals. Our play rationale supports children in their understanding of respect and what it means in a real, shared experience, both for other people and also for their environment and resources.
OPAL play at Lady Joanna
