St Clare’s Catholic Primary School earned the award through the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme, which supports schools to make playtimes richer, more inclusive and more adventurous for every child.
The highest honour in the scheme, the platinum award, recognises the work St Clare’s has done to make outdoor play a central part of school life.
Jamie Whiteside, headteacher at St Clare’s, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved the OPAL Platinum award, and especially proud to be the first school in Clacton to do so.
“This award reflects the commitment, creativity and care shown by our staff, pupils, families, governors and volunteers, who have all helped to make playtimes such a positive part of school life.”
The final OPAL audit praised the school’s “whole-school culture around play” and noted how children confidently talked about taking responsibility, managing risk and solving problems during lunchtimes.
St Clare’s has introduced a range of play areas, including a mud kitchen, digging area, and multi gym, with a nest swing also being installed.
A key part of the school’s success has been involving pupils in shaping the play environment.
Children took part in a design competition to create a new play area using £1,000 of inclusion funding.
The winning design, created by a Year 4 pupil, was for a quiet garden with pathways, water features and windchimes.
Mr Whiteside said: “For us, OPAL is about much more than children having fun — although that matters hugely.
“It gives children the freedom to be active, imaginative, sociable and resilient, while learning to manage risk, solve problems and look after one another.
“Seeing children so engaged in their play, even on wet days, and hearing them talk confidently about the choices they make has been wonderful.”
The school supports play all year round with wet weather gear and trained play leaders.
Regular OPAL assemblies celebrate play, share updates and listen to pupils’ ideas, while weekly Golden Boot and Golden Welly awards recognise kindness, outstanding behaviour and helping to tidy away.
St Clare’s plans to continue developing its play spaces and is encouraging donations of bikes, scooters and small ride-on cars.