The Right to Play – Why Schools Need to Improve Their Play

Nicola Owen

Nicola Owen

OPAL - Outdoor Play and Learning CIC - Regional Mentor South East Asia & Middle East

What is play?
The right to play (UN article 31)
What has changed in childhood?
What are the benefits of play?
The current State of Play in Primary Schools
The future – Plan for Play

About Nicola

Nicola looks after the international expansion of the Opal Programme for South East Asia and hopefully the Middle East in the near future. A social entrepreneur with over 20 years of business experience in both regions, she has become an avid supporter of the Opal Programme after her son came home from school exclaiming that he has had the best day in his life, when the programme was introduced to the children that same day in the first Opal school in South East Asia (Malaysia).

She strongly believes in the difference it will make to children’s lives, children from all cultures and different backgrounds, and she looks forward to establishing Opal in as many schools as possible across the regions. She is closely monitoring the implementation of the Programme at St Christopher’s International Primary School, witnessing first-hand the immense positive impact it has on children’s creativity, engagement and confidence, at the same time learning about some of the challenges and possible improvisations needed for international schools in such a different climate. Nicola enjoys traveling with her family and engaging in community projects focussing on children in need and child development.