Two primary schools near Masham have been recognised as among the best in the country for outdoor play provision after achieving a prestigious Gold accreditation.
The Federation of Snape and Thornton Watlass, which serves pupils from the Masham area, has been awarded Gold Accreditation through the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme following two years of work to transform its playtimes.
The nationally recognised scheme helps schools create more inclusive, imaginative and unstructured outdoor play opportunities, encouraging children to play in all weathers while developing confidence, resilience and independence.
The federation has introduced activities including den building, mud kitchens and loose-parts play, making outdoor play a key part of the school day.
Mrs Davies and Mrs Beswick, the school's OPAL leaders, said:
"Play makes up 20% of a child's school day, which overall results in over a whole years worth of their time in school.
"This is something that should be fun, imaginative, beneficial and accessible for all. OPAL has allowed all children within our school to access playtime freely.
"Although the school has a fantastic outdoor space, children didn't know how to play creatively.
"Over the course of developing OPAL, the transformation in how the children play, manage their own risks and express themselves freely is an absolute joy to watch, it makes all the time and hard work totally worth it.
"OPAL is a fantastic framework to transform children's playtimes. We are very proud of our Gold accreditation."
The school community has also backed the initiative through fundraising, with a recent breakfast morning helping to raise money for new outdoor play resources.
Pupil Lizzie said:
"Opal play is fun because it's so different to how play used to be, we can use our imagination more!"
The Gold accreditation recognises the federation's commitment to making play an important part of children's development and wellbeing, as well as their learning.
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