County Durham school celebrates outstanding play provision
- gracebell7
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
A County Durham primary school is celebrating its fourth award for its provision of outdoor play spaces.
Esh Winning Academy has once again received the Platinum Award for Outdoor Learning And Play (OPAL) following a re-accreditation.
Following its repeated success since its first assessment in 2015, the school is one of only five in the country to become an OPAL Honours School and act as a national exemplar of outstanding practice.
In its most recent assessment, the school has been praised for offering all children access to rich and integrated play, regardless of gender, ethnicity, special needs or social and emotional states.
The report comments on the school’s clearly defined sensory areas as well as calm spaces where children can relax, with the school also making play areas available to all children before and after school.
Outdoor play areas including a sand pit, climbing frame, mud kitchen and multi-use games area, are available in all-weathers, with messy play clothing and spare wellies available alongside welly storage, making it accessible for all.
Caroline Hodgson, headteacher at Esh Winning Academy, said: “We’re so delighted to receive our fourth Platinum Award for outdoor play and learning and are incredibly proud to be classed as an Honours School.
“Our investment and commitment to outdoor learning and play has benefited the whole school community and our renewed status is testament to the hard work and dedication of our fabulous staff. Our pupils love to get outside whatever the weather, and this has a hugely positive impact on children’s overall learning and development, supporting their physical, emotional and social development.”
Cllr Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Huge congratulations to everyone at Esh Winning Academy on this fantastic achievement. It’s wonderful that one of our primary schools is recognised as a shining light and national exemplar of outstanding practice when it comes to outdoor play.
“Play is such an important part of children’s learning and development, and it is wonderful to see how this is nurtured by the school. We have no doubt that this will make an immeasurable difference to pupils, supporting them to become more resilient, confident communicators and encouraging them to enjoy the health benefits of an active playtime.”
