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Amazing play, every day, for every child

An international, award-winning school improvement programme designed to support schools to transform their playtimes.

A picture of school children playing outside in a forest, on a tire swing.
“The best initiative I have ever implemented in my school – it impacts every child every day.”
Nikki Raynor
C of E Primary

The OPAL Primary Programme

Playtime makes up 20% of a primary school child’s life, but most schools don’t plan strategically for this part of the school day.

The OPAL Primary Programme is a mentor supported school improvement programme that addresses all the areas that a school must plan for if they want to strategically improve the quality of play.

OPAL enables schools to make permanent, long term and sustainable changes to their playtimes, developing areas around leadership, risk, health and safety, access, grounds development and playwork practice.

OPAL has worked with over 1,500 schools across the UK and has now spread to Canada, South East Asia, the Isle of Man, France, and Scotland.

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OPAL is a world leader in supporting play in schools

This International award-winning programme is delivered by more than 40 expert mentors across the UK and beyond. Over 1,500 UK schools and over three-quarters of a million children have benefited, with projects also running in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, South East Asia and Poland.

Why choose OPAL?

Platinum OPAL schools have 10 minutes more teaching time per teacher per day. They typically have up to 80% less accidents and incidents, improved pupil enjoyment, happier children, increased physical activity, improved behaviour, and increased attendance. OPAL playtimes are inclusive for all.

OPAL supports schools to develop key areas around:

Policy and planning, SEND provision, access and inclusion, grounds development, resources, INSET, and playwork training.
The Opal logo, which is colourful and represents children playing.

Is your school ready to embark on its Outdoor Play and Learning journey?

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.

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OPAL in action

This film showcases some of the amazing playtimes happening in Cumbria and highlights some of the fantastic benefits that OPAL schools experience. In it, you will hear from the play teams and children at Seaton Academy and Wreay C of E Primary School, as well as Cumbria’s OPAL mentor Anna Dutson. Get started with OPAL in your school on the OPAL website.
Get started with OPAL

Our partnership with Play Scotland

Since 2021, OPAL North East has supported the recruitment and training of OPAL mentors in Scotland. Initially starting in the Glasgow region, Play Scotland now has three OPAL mentors and the programme is being rolled out across the whole country.

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.

A group of children playing outside in a park in an obstacle course made of wood.
A piece of shelving furniture outside in a school playground, containing boxes of random items.
Children outside playing in a playground on tarmac. There is a child wearing an orange jacket on a tricycle.

OPAL in action

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.

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Where to find amazing play

Use this map to see which schools in the region are providing amazing playtimes through the OPAL Primary Programme.

A purple Playful Schools character.
A pink and green Playful Schools character standing next to each other.

OPAL and Ofsted

Play improves outcomes across the board and the impact of the OPAL Primary Programme is regularly mentioned by Ofsted.

On re-inspection, we moved from Grade 4 (RI) to Grade 1 (Outstanding) in Behaviour and Safety at the Junior School. We would never have what we have now if it weren’t for the involvement of OPAL!

Clare Fletcher

Headteacher

Pupils engage extremely well with the extensive outdoor play and learning facilities. Social times are exciting and productive. Outdoor play and learning are strengths of the school. The school teaches pupils to be independent, for example the school gives the pupils the tools to resolve conflict. Pupils are taught to risk assess situations.

Dan McKeating, Lingey House, Feb 2024

Lead Inspector

The introduction of exciting new activities has transformed outdoor time. Pupils build with barrels and crates, dress up, expend energy on the trim trail and play small-side games on the multi-use games area, including on ‘football-free Friday’. Adults quickly resolve occasional disputes using six familiar questions, such as ‘What were you thinking at the time?

Phil Scott, Hetton Primary School, Feb 2024

Lead Inspector

Pupils enjoy using the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) area at breaks and lunchtimes. Here, they learn to take risks safely through trying out challenging activities such as balancing and climbing. Some older pupils have had training as OPAL leaders. They take their responsibilities for checking that stations are safe, and supporting other pupils in using them, very seriously.

Jan Corlett, Cumwhinton, June 2024

Lead Inspector
A pink and blue Playful Schools character sranding next to each other.
An orange Playful Schools character.

Connect with us

At OPAL North East we are always striving to share good practice and network with the whole play in schools community. Follow us on social media to keep updated and get in touch if you would like to discuss enrolling in the OPAL Primary Programme.

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