Last Wednesday, 24th October, in unseasonally beautiful sunshine, parents, grandparents and pupils of Longvernal Primary School in Midsomer Norton joined forces to create dens in the school grounds using donated pallets, crates, ropes and tarpaulins.

The children worked in their house teams across the age groups, together with the adults, to create around twenty dens. A fun and productive time was had by all.

The day formed part of a launch of an exciting new play project, called OPAL, (Outdoor Play and Learning), which aims at ensuring every child benefits from quality play experiences every day.

Mrs Bazeley, Longvernal Primary School Headteacher, reported that there were over sixty adults with all the children in the school; parents and children alike were very competitive and came up with some marvellous designs. The school has many plans in developing this further; the next step being to construct a fifty tonne sandpit.

Mrs Courtier, the Executive Headteacher for Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, was amazed by the complexity of some of the dens. She explained that many of the Primary Schools within the Partnership had taken on board this initiative which promotes active, fun play in school.