75,000 North East children benefit from play in schools programme

On 24 November, OPAL North East celebrated 10 years of working with the region’s schools to improve children’s lives through play.

OPAL North East has worked with more than 300 schools over the last decade, helping them to reimagine their playtimes through the OPAL Primary Programme. In that time, they have improved an estimated 3,000 acres of school grounds, trained more than 10,000 members of staff, and instigated upwards of 600,000 playful days — resulting in around 75,000 happier, healthier, more active children.

As part of the celebrations, headteachers and children from OPAL schools, and regional policy and education representatives, joined the OPAL North East team at their office in Wallsend for some lunchtime fun and to hear about what’s next for play in schools in the region. 

Ingrid Wilkinson, Director of OPAL North East, said: 

“The success of OPAL North East is shared with every school we have partnered with over the past decade. Forward-thinking headteachers have shown the courage to challenge traditional practices, and together we have transformed playtimes — creating enriched playgrounds, upskilling staff, and, most importantly, supporting happier, healthier, and more active children. Thank you to every school we have worked with for trusting our vision, inspiring others, and ensuring that every child has amazing play, every day.”

Caroline Hodgson, Headteacher at Esh Winning Academy, said: 

“We are incredibly proud to be an OPAL school in the North East and we have been dedicated to providing high quality, inclusive play every day for 10 years. It is a real pleasure to see children of all ages engaging in self-directed play, exploring the mud kitchen, sliding down a bank, building dens, or running around and being physically active. Children positively interacting during a period of free time has reduced the opportunities for conflict and the negative impact on learning time. A bonus in itself! 

“A huge congratulations to the whole of the team for being OPAL champions. Their dedication and passion around a child’s fundamental right to play has been inspiring and I am excited to see another 10 years of OPAL at our school.”

Sarah Beveridge, Headteacher at Leyburn Primary School, said: 

“OPAL is one of the most important aspects of our school’s provision. Children of all ages access it every playtime, every day.  OPAL has given us the confidence and courage to make sure that our school site is used to its full potential, helped us with the clarity  to communicate it to our families and wider community, and supported us to continue to have commitment and care for our children so that every day is an OPAL day. We can’t imagine our school without it. Happy 10th Birthday and a huge thank you to everyone who has had the foresight and vision to make OPAL possible for countless schools and children.”

Find out more about OPAL in the North East or get started with the programme today.