Play times at Ashton West End 

Ashton West End Primary Academy is very lucky to have large grounds which include a field with many trees and plants, four climbing frames, outdoor shelters and sandpits.  Research has shown that children spend 20% of their time in school playing, as a result, we want to make sure that our children get to use this time making the most of the grounds we have. 

In 2024, we adopted an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) approach that allows the children to explore and play in a variety of ways. We encourage them to use found and gathered resources in the outdoor environment, as well as toys and games provided for them to play with.  Our children love the new outdoor opportunities that OPAL offers with so much more for them to do, no matter the weather! From playing with tyres, bikes and scooters to den building, climbing trees or rolling down hills.  There are opportunities to enjoy imaginative play in the small world areas or challenging themselves on the gymnastics bars or climbing frames.  We also have mud kitchens and dressing up – there is something for everyone! 

What can parents do? 

Please don’t be upset if your child comes home a bit muddy.  We encourage children to bring a change of shoes so they can enjoy the field in all weathers and they will need to bring a coat every day in case it rains – Ashton’s weather can be very unpredictable!  

You can send you child in with some wellies or old clothes to wear at lunchtimes if you are concerned about them getting dirty. 

Also, if you have any toys your children no longer play with or have outgrown, we would love to have them for our children to play with outside: bikes, action figures, cars, dolls, they will all be popular.