Playtime has fundamentally changed at Colehill First School.

Our vision is that every child in every school has amazing, high-quality play every day.

Childhood has changed and we can no longer assume that any child is able to experience full and rich play opportunities outside of school.

Through OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), we believe that play teaches children all the things that need to be learnt but cannot be taught. There are clearly lots of benefits to children from having lots of great play – here are some of them:

The children now have access to a range of activities including:

• Den building
• Small world
• Wheels (bikes, scooters and ride ons)
• Sandpit
• Mud kitchen
• Role play, including dressing up, babies
• Dolls Houses
• Water play
• Crates and Boxes
• Chalk
• Football

The children love their OPAL playtimes too:

In March 2025, we introduced Rough and Tumble play.  ‘Rough and tumble’ play can be described as “physical cooperative play behaviour, involving two children, where all participants enjoyably and voluntarily engage in reciprocal role-playing that includes aggressive make-believe themes, actions, and words; yet lacks intent to harm either [child] emotionally or physically”.

This play provides immense developmental benefits for children, helping them grow emotionally, socially, and physically.

The Key Benefits of RTP:

• Emotional Regulation: Teaches children how to handle excitement, frustration, and boundaries within a safe context.
• Social Bonding: Strengthens peer and parent relationships and teaches trust, empathy, and communication.
• Physical Development: Improves motor skills, coordination, strength, and body awareness.
   

Below is how some of the children enjoyed rough and tumble play:

We play outside in all weather, so it's important that your child brings wellies, coats and waterproofs to school every day.