Play makes up 20% of children's primary school life. See how this OPAL platinum school with a large playground makes the most of each second

Want to see an amazing OPAL playtime in action?

See for yourself what a fantastic playtime looks like at Riverside Primary School in Medway, Kent, a two-form entry school with a large 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 11:15am to find out how to become an OPAL school. You will hear from the headteacher 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 the fabulous children and staff.

Are you currently on your OPAL journey?

Join us at 12pm to observe lunchtime play and then take part in an afternoon workshop with other current OPAL schools.

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, or supporting your play team.

Agenda

11:15am–12pm Arrival for non-OPAL schools

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. 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 Arrival for current OPAL schools

Current OPAL schools and non- OPAL schools will observe the lunchtime play and 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

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 Riverside Primary School

Riverside Primary School has been developing its amazing playtimes over the last two years and achieved its OPAL Platinum Award in July 2025.

Riverside is a two-form entry primary school, part of the Rainham Mark Education Trust, with a large field and playgrounds that wrap around the large school building.

The school has made huge improvements to its play space since starting the OPAL Primary Programme. It now has a sandpit, mud and digging areas, a scooter track, swings, slides and lots of loose parts. The school has also introduced many more green and quiet areas, music and chalking, and has made full use of a previously unused area.

This primary school has a Visual Impairment and ASD Provision, and the number of children in receipt of Pupil Premium funding is above the national average.

Additional information

There are easy transport links and free parking on the roads around the school.

Tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring your own lunch.

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 (https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/)

Description supplied by the event organiser.