Lapford Achieves Opal Platinum Award!
We recently welcomed our OPAL mentor, Kate, back to school for our final audit. Kate enjoyed watching and interacting with the children during lunchtime play and then sat down with the working group to trawl through our documents and award our final score. When we started the programme in January 2023, our play was rated at 34% - meaning that although there was evidence that children were mostly enjoying play, there was significant room for improvement. Last Monday we were delighted to be awarded a play score of 99% and a glowing report from Kate:
‘What a joy it was to witness the amazing playtimes Lapford have co-created with their staff, children and wider community. You have really utilised every asset of your site, enhanced by your effective methods for replenishing and maintaining loose parts. Your staff have truly embraced the culture of play at lunchtime and your children will enjoy amazing playtimes for a long time to come. I really look forward to Lapford being able to inspire other schools through your fabulous playtimes. Really fabulously well done, Lapford!!’