A primary school has been recognised as one of the best in the country for its approach to play.
St Barnabas CE Primary School in Worcester has received the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Platinum Award, which recognises outstanding commitment to creating high-quality play opportunities for children.
Sarah Hanson, headteacher at St Barnabas, said: “What an incredible recognition of the hard work of our staff in making sure every child is active, happy and learning in our school.
“If you ask any child at St Barnabas, they will name OPAL as one of their best things about school.”
The school’s approach to play gives pupils access to the entire school site at play times, including areas such as sandpits, construction zones, forest school, crafts stations, ball games and mud kitchens.
Children can also enjoy dens, potions stations, and wheeled vehicles as part of their daily play experiences.
In addition to the OPAL award, St Barnabas has also received a Platinum Sports Award Mark, recognising the great commitment the school has to learning by keeping Worcester’s children active.
Rachel Baldwin from OPAL praised the achievement.
She said: “This is a truly outstanding achievement and one that the entire school community should celebrate with immense pride.
“A Platinum Award places St Barnabas amongst the very best primary schools in the country for the quality of its play provision and recognises an unwavering commitment to ensuring every child enjoys amazing playtimes, every day.”
“At the heart of everything St Barnabas has achieved is a deep belief that childhood matters.
“The school has embraced children’s right to play, as enshrined in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, creating an environment where play is recognised not as a reward, but as an essential part of every child’s development, wellbeing and happiness.”
The school is now planning further improvements, including a sensory garden and new areas for tree climbing and pond dipping.
These developments are designed to further broaden play opportunities and support children’s wellbeing, confidence, and learning.
