Coventry primary school receives Platinum OPAL award for improving playtimes

St Patrick's Catholic Primary School in Coventry received the Platinum OPAL award after adding outdoor play features—including a mud kitchen, sandpit, reading hut and vegetable patch—supported by families and the local community.

St Patrick's Catholic Primary School in Coventry has been awarded the Platinum accreditation from Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) for its work improving breaktimes. The school introduced outdoor features such as a model wooden car, a reading hut, a vegetable patch, a musical area, a mud kitchen and a sandpit. Many items were donated and some features were built or installed with help from families and former pupils. Pupils have been taught to use the spaces safely and the school has developed a welly bank so children without suitable footwear can participate. Key details: - St Patrick's Catholic Primary School received the top-level Platinum OPAL award from Outdoor Play and Learning. - New outdoor features include a model wooden car, reading hut, vegetable patch, musical area, mud kitchen and a sandpit. - The mud kitchen was built and donated by a former pupil's family, and the sandpit was created with help from family volunteers; other items were donated by the community. - Pupils have been taught how to use the spaces safely and the school has a growing welly bank to enable participation. - OPAL CIC has worked with more than 1,500 schools across the UK since 2011. Summary: The award recognises the school's work to broaden play options and to support physical activity, creativity and wellbeing during breaktimes. It also reflects the role of families and the local community in developing the outdoor spaces. Undetermined at this time.