Awarded in October 2024, this grant supports the implementation of an outdoor play area through the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) initiative at Ivy Lane Primary School.
Led by Ivy Lane Primary School, the project specifically funds the installation of an all-access sandpit as part of a broader two-year OPAL implementation with support from an OPAL advisor. The sandpit will enable children across all age ranges of the school to regularly play and cooperate together in an inclusive outdoor environment.
The OPAL initiative aims to transform playtimes by providing structured yet creative play opportunities that engage children constructively. Sand play is recognised as a therapeutic experience for many children, supporting both their physical and emotional development. The outdoor sandpit will be part of an improved outdoor provision, giving pupils a range of options for participating in both physical and creative play with peers from different year groups.
The project aims to enhance mental and physical health, build self-confidence and self-esteem, stimulate creativity, improve educational performance, and strengthen social cohesion among the school’s diverse student population.
