Kingsway Primary School celebrate top award for quality of play scheme
Staff at a Kirkby school are celebrating after receiving top recognition for the quality of the play services they offer.
Kingsway Primary School has scooped the Platinum OPAL award, which is the highest level of recognition within the programme.
OPAL is an award-winning initiative that helps schools improve the quality of play for every child, recognising that play is essential for children’s happiness, wellbeing and development.
“I am incredibly proud that Kingsway has achieved the Platinum OPAL Award,” said Jodie Smith, OPAL Lead at Kingsway Primary School.
“It reflects the dedication and hard work that our play team and I have put in every day to create the very best play opportunities for our children.
“This award is something we have achieved together as a whole school community, and while we’re celebrating this incredible milestone, it’s also just the beginning of our journey as we continue to develop even more exciting opportunities for our children.”
The OPAL journey began in January 2025 and has since seen the Kingsway school transform playtimes by creating a wide range of exciting play opportunities.
That includes construction, digging, sand and water play to mud kitchens, wheeled play, imaginative play, quiet spaces and den building.
“Every child now has the opportunity to choose how they play,” adds Jodie. “Achieving Platinum reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive, stimulating outdoor environment, investing in staff training and listening to our pupils to ensure play is at the heart of school life.”
The award places Kingsway Primary School amongst the top 1-2 per cent of OPAL schools nationally.