Latest play news
From play hitting the headlines to updates from the North East, find the latest play news here.
How can schools increase children’s wellbeing? The answer is child’s play
Middlesbrough primary school’s playtime award
Sunderland school receives prestigious playtime award
Six schools across the North East and Cumbria scoop playtime award
How planning for play leads to inclusive playtimes
Applegarth Primary School wins gold award for outdoor play
Esh Winning Academy celebrates national OPAL Honours award
The impact of embedding a playwork approach in OPAL schools
North East schools lead the way with amazing play
Better behaviour: The surprising benefit of improving playtimes
North East schools encouraged to change to active uniforms
Why your school should invest in play in 2026
Great Corby School celebrates OPAL platinum play award
Reflecting on a wonderful year of play in schools
Showcasing amazing play in North East schools
75,000 North East children benefit from play in schools programme
More schools across the North East receive their OPAL awards
Bowburn Primary School wins OPAL Gold Award for playtimes
Go North East surprise Gateshead schoolchildren with special delivery
Wigton school wins national award for ‘transforming’ outdoor play
Celebrating North East OPAL schools
The North East has the highest number of award level OPAL schools in the UK. Congratulations to every school that has committed to investing in children's right to play as stated in Article 31 of the UN Convention on The Rights of the Child (UNRC).
A playful day out of school with a difference
Shiremoor Adventure Playground is a community-based, inclusive adventure playground, catering for children and young people of all abilities.Â
Schools can book the park for a full or half day and hire a playworker to deliver a range of fun and creative workshops. This might include den building, bushcraft, pizza making or nature play. Schools often combine an interactive workshop with a few hours use of the playground, which provides a rich playful environment with basket swings, a zip wire, a sand pit, roller skates, animals and much more.
Find out more on the Shiremoor Adventure Playground website.
Events
The OPAL North East team runs a series of events for schools that are already engaged in the OPAL Primary Programme and those that are thinking about joining.
Play resources and guidance
Play Scotland, Play England, Play Wales and PlayBoard NI provide an extensive range of guidance documents to support children's play.
Get in touch
Have you spotted play in the news across the North East? Do you have a playful school event or resource to share? If so, we would love to hear from you.
