East Kilbride, Scotland – Castlefield School will be formally presented with the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Award on 24 June, becoming only the third school in Scotland to achieve this prestigious national recognition.
Mary Ramsay, CEO of Play Scotland explains that the award “supports schools to radically transform their outdoor spaces to create the best play times ever. Every child has the right to play, and we know that children learn and develop through play, and when children have high quality break times they return to the classroom more able to settle and ready to learn”
“I would like to congratulate everyone at Castlefield School on this fantastic achievement. Receiving the Outdoor Play and Learning Award is a testament to the hard work, dedication and vision of the entire school community. To become only the third school in Scotland to achieve this recognition is a remarkable accomplishment and demonstrates Castlefield’s commitment to providing exceptional experiences that support children’s wellbeing, learning and development.”
The presentation marks the culmination of Castlefield School’s OPAL journey, during which staff, pupils and families have worked together to enhance outdoor spaces, encourage child-led play, and embed outdoor learning opportunities throughout the school day.
Achieving OPAL status places Castlefield School among a small group of pioneering Scottish schools leading the way in outdoor play and learning.
Abi Hilley, Head Teacher, said:
“Achieving the OPAL Award recognises our commitment to transforming Castlefield’s grounds into a vibrant space for child-led play, full of creativity, challenge and inclusion. By investing in our outdoor environment, we have seen a profound boost in pupil resilience, social skills, and well-being. Most importantly, this has directly enhanced classroom learning, with pupils returning from breaks feeling settled, refreshed, and ready to focus. This is not the end of our journey, but a celebration of a permanent cultural shift within our school.
To any school considering the OPAL journey: do it without hesitation because it creates a culture where every single child finds a place to belong, every voice is valued. It has supported us to build an inclusive school community with parents, staff, pupils and partners working as one.”
The award presentation will provide an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of pupils, staff and families who have contributed to the school’s success and to recognise the
positive impact that outdoor play and learning continues to have across the school community.
Share:
