What is OPAL College?
It’s our online community learning platform. It contains all the resources and tools you’ll need to fulfil the OPAL programme.
How do I access the platform?
When you start our programme, you will be given a username and password to access the platform.
Your access lasts until your final audit. After two years, you must reaccredit to continue displaying and promoting your OPAL status, as well as having access to OPAL College.
What are the contents of the OPAL College platform
Unlimited access to the following training:
Maintain your OPAL College membership
Have you successfully finished the programme? Maintain your OPAL College membership and keep up the good work!
It will grant you access to essential risk training, Playwork Essentials, live Tea with OPAL sessions, OPAL key role induction courses, and live support from the OPAL community of schools and our OPAL College host. This costs £250 per year for unlimited use and training.
Apply for OPAL reaccreditation
If your school has had an OPAL award in the past but it has been more than two years, your award will have expired. If you are in this situation, please contact us for OPAL reaccreditation.
A mentor will contact you to set up a start date and discuss what Next Steps package you need depending on the level of ongoing support required. Some Next Steps packages include OPAL College membership in the price. Your mentor will explain the options.
Why should I reaccredit?
Reaching OPAL award status is an amazing achievement but it's not the end of the road, it's the start of your journey.
Our experience from working with over 2,000 schools has taught us that maintaining quality and continuing improvement are ongoing challenges for all schools.
Being part of the OPAL community, accessing OPAL College, and maintaining a level of support from your mentor will give your school the best possible chance of enjoying and increasing the benefits of OPAL well into the future.
“Do it! It’s been the most transformative and straightforward route to change lives for children for the better that I have experienced in my career so far. I cannot think of any rational reason to not give it a go.”
Claire Sheils
Director of Children's Services, North Somerset Council
OPAL Honours
Schools that maintain OPAL Platinum Award status for three consecutive awards will join our OPAL Honours group. OPAL will promote these schools as national exemplars of outstanding practice.
OPAL Honours schools are granted free access to OPAL College, even after award.