The sun is out, and Castlefield Primary’s playground is full of colour and noise.
Scooter races, chalk drawing, a makeshift chute, a sandpit – it’s all going on, and only the fact that East Kilbride’s weather has been practically tropical and rain-free for the past few days has stopped the star attraction – a big, squelchy, muddy pool – from being used.
“The mud has been a bit of an issue at times,” admits headteacher Abi Hilley, smiling. “The parents have been fantastic, it has been a big change.”
She adds: “Mud washes off – memories last a lifetime.”
The school is celebrating becoming only the third in Scotland to win a prestigious OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) award from Play Scotland.
The idea behind the programme is simple – play, especially outdoor play in a world increasingly dominated by screens and technology, is crucial in a child’s life.
It contributes to their quality of life, their wellbeing and their physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. The type of environment for play is also important, having an impact on children’s experience, choices and relationships, both with other people and with the environment itself.
The OPAL programme works to embed play into schools’ policies and practices, and the results – such as those which Ms Hilley and her team at Castlefield have achieved - can be spectacular.
“Since I joined the school three years ago, we have had a huge push on health and wellbeing,” explains Ms Hilley.
“OPAL was central to that. Like most other schools, our grounds were tarmac with a bit of grass, and a MUGA (multi-use games area) pitch where everyone played football.”
She adds: “Now, it feels like a different playground every day.”
Under the direction of class teacher Craig McKenzie, and led by the children themselves with support from OPAL mentor Simon Knight, the playground is now full of fun, creative, stimulating things to do.
“Mr McKenzie has lived and breathed OPAL for three years, he has championed the right to play, ignored the groans and organised the chaos – even acquired free sand, and wood chips from the council tree fellers,” says Ms Hilley.
“These are not purchasable things, like really expensive trim trails, these are things that allow children to use their creativity and imagination to make magical play moments.
She adds: “It’s also about much more than the physical space, too. Our school needed calmness, inclusivity. Children of all ages now play together, more parents come into the building. It feels like more of a community school.”
At a special awards ceremony, attended by pupils, staff, parents, South Lanarkshire Councillor Archie Buchanan and Play Scotland's chief executive Mary Ramsay, Castlefield pupils shared their views on the new playground.
School captain Ellie, 12, says: “It gives us opportunities and puts our minds to work. it also helps us build new skills.”
Fellow school captain Archie, 11, adds: “Three years ago it was just concrete, and all you could do was play football. It’s hard to imagine that now. I love the scooters.”
Clare Baillie chairperson of Castlefield’s Parent Council, agrees. “It’s just great to see the pure joy of kids playing outside,” she says. “Yes, sometimes it’s muddy, but we live in Scotland, you expect that.
“It’s great to see different age groups playing together.”
Castlefield’s journey is far from over - in a short film shown at the awards ceremony, some of the pupils outline their Big Ideas for the future of their playground.
“I’d like some Spiderman stuff, he’s my favourite superhero,” says one boy. “I’d like mini cars, you can go round while you are eating your snack,” says another. “A trampoline, because I’d like to do a back flip,” says a budding gymnast. “Swings,” says a young girl. “But not just swings - tree swings….”
Simon Knight, of Play Scotland, is delighted by the enthusiasm,
“Every school does this differently,” he explains: “Children have to learn how to embrace risk.
“At some schools, the behaviour issues teachers used to see on Friday afternoons, they are starting to see them on Monday mornings, because children have been sitting at their screens all weekend.
“Reinforcing the opportunity to play is not just a nice thing to do, it is socially and developmentally essential.”
