OPAL open day: Hernhill C of E Primary, Kent

About this event

Visit an OPAL Honours school that puts play at the heart of their mission. So much mud, creativity, inclusiveness and JOY! Want to see an AMAZING school playtime? This OPAL Honours school has been developing their playtime for over 5 years, and you can see the impact everywhere. They have had NO red card behaviour incidents in the playground this academic year. None. Very few accidents. The children's play is complex and inspiring. Hernhill C of E Primary School in Kent is a one-form entry rural church school with a field. They have some complex SEND children, but now only have three 1:1s and 3 playworkers out every lunch time. Join us and be inspired by observing one of the best school playtimes in the country. Here, kids get muddy, build dens, take risks, explore, experiment, and achieve every single day! Thinking about OPAL? Join us at 11:15 am to find out how to become an OPAL school. You will hear from the Head and the school team, plus an OPAL mentor with experience in many different types of schools, and then have the chance to join the lunchtime play and talk to children and lunch staff. This session is also open to staff from new OPAL schools wanting to better understand the process. Are you currently on your OPAL journey? Are you an OPAL Next Steps school? Join us at 12:15 to firstly observe playtime, and then the workshop will be split into two groups, one for newer OPAL schools and one especially for Next Steps schools, to discuss: how to sustain the relaxed vigilance of a Platinum school, how to respond to changes in children, staff and the environment , how the Playwork Principles can support your staff team how to keep the mojo after several years Agenda 11:15 am Arrival for NON-OPAL schools. Staff at current schools who want o hear the introduction are also welcome. 11:25 am–12 pm Introduction to OPAL 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 and the curricular lead or headteacher, outlining how the OPAL Primary Programme works, the costs and challenges involved, and how it can transform playtimes to be amazing for every child, every day. 12 pm–1 pm Observation of playtime (12:15 Current/Next Steps OPAL schools arrive) Come and see a double-platinum OPAL playtime in action – ask the children how they manage risk, and the grown-ups about the changes they have seen. 1 pm – 1:15 pm Photo opportunities and questions An opportunity to take photos and ask the staff questions. NON-OPAL schools leave. 1:15 pm – 1:30 pm Refreshments Tea and coffee will be provided; please bring your own lunch. 1:30 pm - 2 :30 pm Workshop for OPAL Next Steps and current OPP schools Times are subject to alterations of up to 30 minutes. In the week before the event, attendees will receive an email confirming times. What to wear Unless it has been very hot for a few weeks, make sure you bring wellies or boots suitable for rough ground. If it is raining, swap smart for fully waterproof. We will be outside with the children for the full hour. About Hernhill C of E Primary School Hernhill C of E Primary School is a 200-pupil church school in a rural area just outside Faversham. They started their OPAL journey in the summer of 2021 and achieved their first OPAL Platinum Award in the summer of 2022, and their second in the summer of 2024, and their third on 6th March 2026. They are the first OPAL Honours school in this part of Kent. Their play offer is outstanding, ensuring every child has a fantastic playtime every single day – see the video for more inspiration! The school has a small loose-parts shed, a large array of loose parts stored across the site for easy access, a fast-growing museum showing off the archaeological discoveries of the children from the large digging areas, a huge sandpit, a very muddy trench and plentiful water play, den building and a cave dug out by the children! They ha

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