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OPAL play scheme

4 replies

TrixieFatell · 04/02/2026 16:14

My youngest is in year 5 and the school have recently introduced this scheme at play times. Initially it was great, I have read about it and can see all the benefits it has etc. However it just is causing my child upset. They find it quite overwhelming. They enjoy one activity but it keeps being taken over by year 6s and becomes boisterous and they exclude my child as they are not as good at the activity as the others. So my child doesn't want to be involved but their friends do so they don't play with their friends.

We have tried to encourage them to play with others and other activities but it sounds like it's a free for all and my child won't be pushy so ends up with nothing to do. It's causing them to feel sad and lonely. We did ask if they could take a book with them but there is nowhere for them to go and read. What my child would prefer to do is go inside and read but they are not allowed to do so. I am a bit unsure where I can go with this.

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user405927 · 04/02/2026 16:17

I think they need to try to get into more than the one activity that they enjoy. Part of the point of it is that they are supposed to use the resources to come up with ideas of what to do.

TrixieFatell · 04/02/2026 16:31

user405927 · 04/02/2026 16:17

I think they need to try to get into more than the one activity that they enjoy. Part of the point of it is that they are supposed to use the resources to come up with ideas of what to do.

They aren't pushy enough to grab equipment, they wait their turn but that means they don't get to play. I have tried suggesting they become more pushy but it's not really in their nature.

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muddleatthevicarage · 04/02/2026 17:01

You can view this as a learning opportunity rather than something you have to fix? They are in year 5 so it will be good for them to learn to start asserting their needs. Going to hide away with a book is avoiding that and making this a problem for another day.
I’d do nothing. They are bored now so eventually they‘ll get to the point where they‘ll grab what it is they want.

parietal · 04/02/2026 17:18

a big reason why things like OPAL are good is that they help kids learn to negotiate and share. It is not easy but will be valuable to your son.

he could
pick a different activity that is less crowded
look for other lonely people to play with
take in top trumps from home to play with one other person
talk to a friend at a different time and say “the year 6 kids keep taking all the balls. Shall we play with the trucks instead next time?”

help him talk through possible solutions and he will work something out.

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