A new play initiative at Shoscombe Church School has proven to be a big hit with pupils.

OPAL, Outdoor Play And Learning, makes the use of toys and equipment to enhance children's learning and play.

School Headteacher, Ruth Noall, said: "We have been blessed with beautiful weather recently which has hugely helped children settle back into school life after the extended break.

"Our new OPAL initiative enables children to be creative and adventurous with loose bits and bobs. Whether it is plastic milk crates, traffic cones, wooden spoons, old brooms and buckets – we can make use of them and encourage children to make the most of playing outside.

"In addition to the OPAL initiative work has taken place over the summer to enhance the outdoor learning area offered to children in years 1 and 2. This is helping us to provide rich outdoor learning experiences that progress from those experienced in the early years."

To further boost the school's outdoor provision FoSSA, the Friends of Shoscombe School Association, are working with the school to organise a sponsored walk specifically to raise money for outdoor learning and play.

In addition, the parents have been asked to donate any items that can be played with as loose parts such as plastic milk crates and wooden pallets; road signs and cones; old desks, little tables, stools; wooden spoons, nets and ropes, keyboards/torches/laptops/calculators that are no longer working; fabric.