We are delighted to announce we have received an accreditation for the Platinum OPAL play award. We all know how much fun and learning goes on during our playtimes and this is a wonderful recognition for everyone’s hard work and parental support and donations during the past two years. 

What a wonderful experience encountered by all of our children every single day now. Our School grounds are amazing and pre-OPAL were barely being used, the children are so much happier playing in our most wonderful, naturally rich play environment. Whilst it might look like a den to an outsider what our children are experiencing are opportunities to develop resilience, team work, negotiation skills , perseverance, character building skills which are often difficult to teach in the classroom. The play zones and social spaces we have developed are exciting, adventurous and fun.

We recognise the importance of supporting children to take risks in their play and have developed a culture that promotes play as essential and risk is good, together they promote confidence, resilience and an aptitude to learn from trial and error all of which resonates back into the classroom and learning environment. We don't mind if there is a mud spa at lunch time and pupils are covered in a rich layer of mud from the delicacies that they have made in the mud kitchen and why not, the benefits of mud play are endless …our site oozes happy, confident children that have the freedom to be themselves, some of whom have come alive at having access to nature, freedom to play and the opportunity to play with loose parts.

Mrs Windeatt has been instrumental throughout OPAL, motivating staff and inspiring children, she always believed that the benefits of OPAL were and are indeed invaluable to all children. Head of Prep, Antje Kell has visioned and championed OPAL from the onset, promoted, communicated with parents and worked hard to ensure parents recognise the benefits of this for their children. And to the core 'Opal Team' a big well done for all you have achieved and will still achieve for our pupils.

OPAL Mentor, Ingrid Wilkinson said, ''It was a pleasure to assess Tranby this week and observe the wonderful and enriching play environment they have developed over the past 18 months. Den building, go karts, scooters, mud kitchens and arts and crafts are just some of the wonderful play zones children can access every single day. Gaining a Platinum OPAL Award is testimony to the hard work, commitment and strategic approach the School has given to play. Tranby is the first independent school in the UK to gain platinum status which represents outstanding play provision for their Prep School. Huge congratulations for this awesome achievement.''

''I am so proud of the pupils and the staff team for all of their achievements over the past 18 months. Even with a pandemic to navigate, the staff have been committed, not only to our huge 'live teaching' provision but also when welcoming the children back into School and to getting their academic diet right whilst also recognising that pupil wellbeing has been paramount. It is a fantastic achievement to be awarded the top category, in the top 10% of Schools nationally, and to be the first independent school in the UK to reach this level of accreditation.''

 

Antje Kell, Head of Prep