OPAL is a community interest company (not-for-profit) that provides consultancy advice to primary age range schools to create lasting improvements in play for every child.

It is a highly structured school improvement programme aimed at improving free play for every child. It is delivered in eight meetings in schools, over 18 months, by a specialist OPAL mentor.

Your contact form will be forwarded to your local OPAL mentor, who will get in touch with you to arrange a free introductory meeting. We want to know all about your school and your children's needs.

Because we have worked with over 2,000 schools, OPAL knows exactly what to do, but your school will have to implement the planned actions. You will need to allocate strategic and operational leadership to work with OPAL to transform your school's practices.

No, we don't. OPAL supports schools to maximise play value with the lowest possible capital expense. Play equipment often, but not always, has high capital expense and relatively low play value.

After 18 months, every single child in your school will be having amazing play every day, access all sixteen play types and eight schema; however, OPAL schools never really finish because they love to keep making play better and better.

There is some regional variation. UK prices for the programme start at £5,500 and international schools from £10,000.

The Government has confirmed that the Primary PE and Sport Premium will continue for the 2025/26 academic year. This funding is for primary schools to support them with making sustainable improvements to the quality of the PE, physical activity and sport. 

Here is our guidance on using the Primary PE and Sport Premium Funding for play.

OPAL is based on 15 years of action research in over 2,000 schools. We have an online OPAL College with over 10,000 members, many training videos, 250 support documents, and a rigorous process to support legally robust risky play.

Your OPAL mentor will help you prepare for change, support you through our audit and action plan meetings, and tailor our programme to your circumstances and the needs of staff and children. Whatever the size of your school, location, or grounds, we have the experience to make play the best it can be at your school.

We will all celebrate your amazing achievements. Your mentor will support you to achieve our silver, gold, or platinum award, which lasts for two years. As an award holder, you may continue to access OPAL College for a modest annual fee. You may also choose to continue to have access to your mentor to keep you on track and keep improving by buying into the right Next Steps package for you.