OPAL open day: St John's Catholic Primary School, Trowbridge

This event is for anyone interested in joining the OPAL Primary Programme and transforming the culture of play at their school. Come and see, first-hand, what an OPAL playground is like.

*Current OPAL Schools - arrival time 11am

*New interest OPAL Schools - arrival time 11:45am

11am–11:15am Current OPAL schools arrive

11:15am–11:45am St John's OPAL journey

Hear from St John's staff about their OPAL journey.

11:45am–12:00pm New interest schools arrive (those not yet signed up to the programme)

12pm–1pm Playtime observation

Come and see an OPAL playtime in action – ask the children about how they manage risk and the grown-ups about the changes they have seen.

1pm–1:30pm Q&A

This session is open to both current OPAL schools and schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Programme. This is an opportunity to ask OPAL mentor Helen Easton and Calmore's play team questions about the school's OPAL journey.

St John’s is a large, thriving Catholic school with over 300 pupils from EYFS to year six. Set in a suburban area with expansive grounds, it is a friendly and welcoming school, with a committed team working together to ensure that all children are happy, safe, well supported, and appropriately challenged.

At St John’s, staff believe that learning should be enjoyable, purposeful, and challenging for every pupil, enabling them to reach their full potential. Their aim is to equip each child with the skills needed to become independent and confident learners.

The school has outstanding play provision and achieved an OPAL Platinum Award in March 2026. The site offers a wide range of play opportunities, including a large, accessible loose parts shed, a big sandpit, water play, den building, music, wheeled play, dressing up, arts and crafts, a large nature area, a dig pit, and a reading den.

The play team is highly committed to continually improving their provision, led by a fantastic OPAL working group and supported by very engaged parents and the local community. The level of purposeful engagement among all children at playtime is exceptional.

Tea and coffee will be provided.

Parking is possible at the school, though limited. On street parking is also available.

Please dress appropriately, we will be outside whatever the weather.

Only two tickets per schools please. If you can no longer come, please let us know so we can release your place to another school.

The OPAL Primary Programme is an award-winning mentor supported school improvement programme that addresses all the areas that schools must plan for if they want to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities.

Find out more: www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning CIC