About this Event
Want to see an amazing OPAL playtime in action?
See for yourself what a fantastic playtime looks like at Coldfall Primary School, a three-form entry school with a with a large playground, field and an OPAL Platinum Award!
Join us and be inspired. At this school, children get muddy, build dens, take risks, explore, experiment and achieve every single day.
Thinking about starting OPAL?
Join us at 11am to find out how to become an OPAL school. You will hear from the headteacher and the school team, as well as an OPAL mentor with experience in many different types of schools. You will then have the chance to join the lunchtime play and talk to children and lunchtime staff.
This session is also open to staff from new OPAL schools who want to better understand the process.
Are you currently on your OPAL journey?
Join us to first observe playtime and then take part in a workshop with other current OPAL schools. The workshop may be split into two groups: one for new OPAL schools and one for schools in their second year or beyond. The workshop will be tailored to the key issues facing the schools attending, but is likely to cover increasing risk, managing outdoor play in heavy rain, and planning magic into your playground or playwork interventions.
Agenda
11am–11:15am Arrival for non-OPAL schools
11:15am–12pm Introduction to OPAL
Hear from the headteacher and curricular lead as they share a summary of the impact OPAL has made. This will be followed by an introduction to the OPAL Primary Programme, led by an OPAL mentor alongside the curricular lead or headteacher. The session will outline how the programme works, the costs and challenges involved, and how it can transform playtimes to be amazing for every child, every day.
12pm–1:15pm Playtime observation (current OPAL schools arrive at 12:15pm)
Come and see a platinum OPAL playtime in action – ask the children about how they manage risk and the grown-ups about the changes they have seen. See the mud kitchen, wheeled play and creative play in action for all ages.
1:15am–1:30pm Photo opportunities and questions
An opportunity to take photos and ask the staff questions. Non-OPAL schools leave.
1:30pm–1:45pm Refreshments
Tea and coffee will be provided; please bring your own lunch.
1:45pm–2:30pm
Hear about the school's journey, Q&A, and an opportunity to share challenges and solutions. Short workshop with OPAL mentor.
Times are subject to alterations of up to 30 minutes. The week before the event, attendees will receive an email confirming the times.
About Coldfall Primary School
Coldfall Primary School in Muswell Hill has been developing its amazing playtimes over the last three years and achieved its OPAL Platinum Award in September 2025. It is a three-form, suburban primary school with a large field, woodland and tarmac areas.
Originally, the playground was divided by ages and the natural spaces and field were rarely used due to weather and supervision. Now, children access the whole site all year around and all ages mix together. They have even extended their playtime by 15 minutes. The field has been transformed by the introduction of a large sandpit, digging area and sensory garden. Their woodland provides magical affordances with a stage, and small world and mud kitchen areas.
The team at Coldfall show what can be achieved when the whole school culture fully embraces OPAL.
Additional information
There are easy transport links and good cycle routes (mostly off road) to the school, and some parking available on nearby roads.
Tea and coffee will be provided.
Please dress appropriately, we will be outside whatever the weather.
About the OPAL Primary Programme
The OPAL Primary Programme is an award-winning mentor-supported school improvement programme that addresses all the areas that schools must plan for if they want to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities.
There are over 2,000 OPAL schools across the UK and around the world, over 250 of are in London and the South East of England.
Find out more: www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk
Event venue & nearby stays
Coldfall Primary School, Coldfall Avenue, London, United Kingdom
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