---
title: "OPAL - Outdoor Play and Learning"
url: "https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/school-life/opal-outdoor-play-and-learning"
school: "St. Michael's  C.E. Primary School"
---

# OPAL - Outdoor Play and Learning

### OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is an award-winning school improvement programme that transforms playtimes into rich, engaging, and meaningful opportunities for every child. It recognises that play is an essential part of children's development and wellbeing, helping them build confidence, resilience, creativity, social skills, and physical fitness.

![](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/images/OPAL/Opal-Logo-2024-in-progress-onwhite_(1).png)

### OPAL Working Group

![](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/images/OPAL/OPAL_Play_Team.png)

## OPAL Newsletters

[September 2026](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/files/OPAL/OPAL_newsletter_September_2026.pdf)

[December 2025 ](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/files/OPAL/OPAL_newsletter_Dec_2025.pdf)

[May 2025](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/files/OPAL/OPAL_newsletter_May_2025.pdf)

[November 2024](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/files/OPAL/OPAL_newsletter_November_2024.pdf)

### Useful links

To find out more about OPAL click here: [OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning](https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/)

To find out more about a child's right to play, click [here.](https://www.playengland.org.uk/charter-for-play)

Click [h](https://www.blackford-school.co.uk/images/documents/policies/outdoor-play-learning.pdf)ere to view our [Outdoor Play and Learning Policy](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/files/OPAL/3.1_Play_Policy.docx) and [HSE Managing Risk Statement](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/files/OPAL/Health_and_Safety_Executive_(HSE)_-_Managing_Risk_in_Play_and_Leisure.pdf) (Appendix A).

To find out more about Health and Safety guidance please click [here](https://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/childs-play-statement.htm).

[Click here](https://www.blackford-school.co.uk/images/documents/UNCRC_united_nations_convention_on_the_rights_of_the_child.pdf) to view Article 31 of The Rights of the Child, pg.9.

### School Life

- [Calendar](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/calendar)
- [Communication](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/school-life/newsletters)
- [Upcoming Events](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/events)
- [News items](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/news)
- [Galleries](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/photo-galleries)
- [OPAL](https://st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk/school-life/opal-outdoor-play-and-learning)

- ![Candle](https://files.schudio.com/stmichaelscarlisle/images/partners/Candle_(3).png)
- ![Tag Line](https://files.schudio.com/stmichaelscarlisle/images/partners/tagline-1.png)
- ![PTI](https://files.schudio.com/stmichaelscarlisle/images/partners/PTI_small.png)

##### Location

 Carlisle Road
Dalston, Carlisle
Cumbria
CA5 7LN

##### Contact Us

 (01228) 711544
 <admin@st-michaels.cumbria.sch.uk>

##### Stay Connected

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- [X](https://twitter.com/St_Michaels_1)

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