South Shields school among the best in the country for outdoor play and learning
A South Shields primary school has been named among the best in the country for outdoor play and learning.
Staff and pupils at a South Shields primary school are celebrating after it was named as one of the best schools in the country for outdoor play and learning (OPAL).
Harton Primary, on East Avenue, has received the OPAL Platinum Award for their lunchtime play provision after the school decided to make positive changes to the children’s experience of play.
The school began its OPAL journey in September 2024, which saw staff working with pupils to develop different zones and assess the risks involved in playing.
These play zones include a water zone, a wheely zone, a quiet zone with a reading caravan, a messy mud kitchen, and more.
Harton Primary launched OPAL at lunchtimes in February 2025 - with the school reporting an immediate reduction in behavioural incidents at lunchtime, as well as several children who went home for lunch wanting to stay and play.
Robert Donnelly, Harton Primary’s headteacher, has expressed his pride in the school’s community for working together to transform its lunchtime play provision.
He said: “We are thrilled to have had the quality of our lunchtime play provision recognised in this way. Lunchtime is such an important part of the day for young children.
“We feel that with the ever-increasing dominance of screens in children's lives, it is really important to make sure the play experiences they have in school are of the highest quality.
“This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff in making the children's experience at school the best it can possibly be, but most importantly it is a recognition of our brilliant children.
“We are so proud of all of them.”