At Fernwood, we believe play is at the heart of children’s development, wellbeing and happiness. That’s why we have introduced the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme, giving our pupils the freedom, creativity and joy of high-quality play experiences every day.

Through OPAL, we are transforming our outdoor spaces into exciting, inclusive and purposeful environments. Children now enjoy a wide range of opportunities to explore, create and collaborate – from building and inventing in our construction areas, to imaginative role play in the outdoor kitchen, and hands-on discovery in the digging site.

We are especially proud of our brand-new sandpit, a firm favourite with all ages, as well as the addition of scooters and bikes, which bring energy, movement and excitement to playtimes.

Our OPAL journey is only just beginning, but already we can see the impact – happier, more engaged children who are developing resilience, problem-solving skills and friendships that grow stronger every day.