Our Mission
To improve the lives of children through the power of play
Our Aim
To inform, inspire and innovate all those we connect with
Our Goal
To create happier playtimes for more than 100,000 children across the North East by 2028
We do this by...
What We Do
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OPAL Outdoor Play
Promote the OPAL Outdoor Play and learning programme which is delivered by OPAL North East under license from OPAL CIC to schools across the north east region including Cumbria and N Yorks
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OPAL Branded Merchandise
Sell OPAL branded merchandise to schools and mentors across the UK
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News
Celebrate and share success stories and playful news from across the region.
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Connect
Connect schools and local businesses across the NE
Sign up to our newsletter
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Our Organisation
Bringing OPAL to the North East
As the licenced delivery partner of the OPAL Primary Programme in the region, OPAL North East Ltd supports schools to transform their playtimes.
Since 2015, Director and Founder Ingrid Wilkinson has been working with the region’s schools to change children’s lives through play. The team has now taken more than 200 schools through the programme, making the North East the region with the highest number of award level schools in England.
A dedicated team supporting schools across the region.
Our Team
A knowledgable and experienced team supporting schools across the region.
Contact Us
For the past 10 years we have worked with hundreds of schools, a combination of primary, special needs, PRU and a small number of middle schools. We know how busy schools are juggling priorities and not surprisingly planning for playtime is often overlooked. That’s where we step in, we know what works, what doesn’t, how to create a culture which enables play to become part of the heart of the school day. Taking play seriously in a school has huge benefits for everyone, a playful school creates an environment where children can learn, thrive and flourish.
OPAL North East partnerships with Play Scotland
Since 2021, OPAL North East has supported the recruitment and training of OPAL mentors in Scotland. Initially starting in Glasgow region, Play Scotland now has 3 OPAL mentors and the programme is being rolled out across the entirety of Scotland.
Play Scotland
Play Scotland is the lead organisation for the development and promotion of play in Scotland. Their work is underpinned by article 31 of the UN Convention on the rights of the child, and the UNCRC General Comment No17, which articulates “the need to create time and space for children to engage in spontaneous play, recreation and creativity, and to promote societal attitudes that support and encourage such activity.”
Play Scotland’s core belief is that play is fundamental to a healthy and happy childhood. In 2022, Play Scotland became an OPAL delivery partner and, with support from OPAL North East, is bringing the programme to schools across the country.
OPAL in Scotland
Udston Primary School, in South Lanarkshire, was the first school in Scotland to complete its journey through the OPAL Primary Programme. Members of the senior leadership team speak about the impacts of OPAL while viewers see many of the new play activities developed for children.
Our Story So Far
An incredible story, from working with three schools in the North East to becoming the most successful region for developing play in schools across the UK.
The Playful Schools website will be launched to enable OPAL NE to raise the profile of play across the region. Playful Schools will provide an e-commerce platform for selling OPAL CIC merchandise across the UK. The website will aim to connect businesses who can support schools develop play.