Children at Welton Primary School have been lucky enough to receive a generous

donation from the PTFA towards lunch time play equipment.

OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Leader, Debbie Stevens, told The Journal: “At

Welton, we are fortunate to have extensive grounds at the back of our school. Lunch time play here is now well and truly ‘back to normal’ and the children have a wide range of zones to enjoy and move between.

“The loose parts area, football pitch and mud kitchen, are always popular amongst the children, but it has been great to have the funds to develop the ‘games’ area.

“The addition of space hoppers, pogo stick jumpers, football bibs, sensory balls, twelve JD Bug scooters (and helmets), junior tennis balls, giant Jenga and giant snakes and ladders have been gratefully received by all of the children!

“We would like to thank the PTFA, who have been a major part in the development of our OPAL award, by which we received at platinum level.”

Kirsty Wood, Chairperson of Welton Primary PTFA, told The Journal: “It is so lovely to see the children play and use the equipment we have provided for them.”

The OPAL award is given to schools who have developed their play and learning to best suit the children and encourage their creative play in and outside of school.

Debbie continued: “OPAL is all about using the natural environment and incorporating that into play-time, whilst encouraging the children to be as creative as possible in the given areas.

“We will soon be adding a fire pit and shelter to the play ground where we will teach the children how to safely play and be within that area.”

The school are now looking to launch a Bike Swap scheme as wellbeing bike rides for the children.

The idea is to give all the children the opportunity to ride a bike, or learn to, which will allow them to promote their use of the natural environment within their play, as well as enable them to grow stronger links in the commununity, by being out and about, and think about their environmental impact on the planet.

To find out more about OPAL, visit: https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/