Grainne Pickles

Gráinne has worked in education for over 15 years across London, Yorkshire and Kent and has a passion for school improvement and child development. A qualified Forest School practitioner, Gráinne has a deep understanding of the positive benefits that outdoor learning and play can have on children and young people.

Most recently Gráinne had worked as a Deputy Headteacher in a multicultural city school, where she was the Pupil Premium Champion and worked with disadvantaged children and their families to ensure that they had the best possible opportunities and learning outcomes. The most rewarding part of her role (by far) was leading the OPAL programme from both a strategic and operational level and witnessing the truly wonderful transformation of the children and the play culture.

Gráinne has mentored ECTs and middle leaders as part of her role as a senior leader and is now providing support to schools across East Kent and London as they begin their exciting OPAL journey.