Norton Juxta Kempsey CE Primary School (NJK) has taken a transformative step in enhancing children’s wellbeing by launching a new OPAL Play programme—an initiative shaped directly by the voices of its pupils.
OPAL, which stands for Outdoor Play and Learning, is a nationally recognised programme that helps schools embed high-quality play into the school day. It encourages a whole-school approach to outdoor play, recognising its vital role in children’s physical, emotional, and social development.
At NJK, the journey began with listening. Pupils were invited to share their ideas, needs, and aspirations for playtimes, ensuring the programme was not only tailored to the school’s environment but also rooted in what mattered most to the children themselves. This collaborative approach gave pupils a sense of ownership and pride in the changes that followed.
To bring their shared vision to life, the school secured a Public Health Wellbeing Grant from Worcestershire County Council. This funding enabled the purchase of a variety of open-ended play resources designed to spark creativity, movement, and social interaction. Among the new additions were water play troughs and channelling equipment, sand trays and digging tools, and a wide range of loose parts for imaginative construction. These resources were carefully chosen to support inclusive, all-weather play and to encourage children to explore, collaborate, and express themselves freely.
The impact has been profound. Staff have observed significant improvements in pupils’ emotional wellbeing, confidence, and peer relationships. Children who previously found playtimes challenging are now thriving in an environment that values their input and supports their needs. The school has also embraced a culture of celebration, with regular assemblies highlighting pupils’ play achievements and inviting families to witness the positive changes first-hand.
NJK’s OPAL Play programme stands as a powerful example of how schools can use targeted funding and pupil voice to create meaningful, lasting improvements in children’s wellbeing. By investing in play, the school has enriched its outdoor spaces and engaged both children and families along the way.
To find out more about Public Health wellbeing grants for schools, please visit our webpage: Public Health Grant for Educational Settings
