Our school believes that all children need opportunities to play that allow them to explore, manipulate, experience, and affect their environment. The school acknowledges the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially Article 31, and supports the child’s right to play. We believe play provision should be welcoming and accessible to every child, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, economic or social circumstances, ethnic or cultural background or origin, or individual abilities. We acknowledge that we have a duty to take these rights seriously and listen to children’s views on their play.

The OPAL programme rationale is that “… better, more active and creative playtimes can mean happier and healthier children, and having happier, healthier, more active children usually results in a more positive attitude to learning in school, with more effective classroom lessons, less staff time spent resolving unnecessary behavioural problems, fewer playtime accidents, happier staff and a healthier attitude to life.”

Our school Christian values of Respect, Determination, Team Work, Forgiveness, Honesty, Aspiration and Faith, underpin all that we do at St Mary of Charity, including Play.