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Take a look for some savings this Summer! From places to eat to activities for the children, a range of different savings are listed.
Rising prices can make life’s little treats harder to afford, especially during the school holidays when costs build up for families. This Government have announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme.
From 25 June to 1 September 2026, the Government is temporarily cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s meals in restaurants, children and family tickets to cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, and admission to a wide range of attractions. Combined with free bus travel during August for children aged 5 to 15 in England, families and young people will be able to enjoy experiences that make summer special, including visits to the kinds of cultural and educational attractions that enrich children’s lives outside the classroom.
There is an attraction finder website which allows you to type in your postcode and find participating venues near you to make the most of summer savings.
To use the attraction finder, please visit https://summersavings.gov.uk.
To parents and carers,
As you know, your child is fortunate enough to attend an OPAL school; a school who take play seriously.
Outdoor play is essential for children’s health, development and wellbeing, but has almost disappeared from their lives.
Schools are well placed to address this. But even though playtime makes up 20% of every primary school child’s day, very few schools have a plan for play. Without a strategic plan, this time is wasted and often leads to problems.
Evidence from more than 2,000 OPAL schools shows that having a plan for play transforms behaviour, equality, wellbeing and learning.
OPAL believe that every primary school needs a plan for play.
We are reaching out to you, parents of children who thrive by accessing high-quality play daily, to support OPAL’s (Outdoor Play and Learning) Plan for Play campaign.
“We call on the Government to require every primary school in England to publish a plan for outdoor free play at breaktimes and lunchtime, and for the Department for Education to produce statutory guidance defining what quality provision looks like, with Ofsted required to inspect against it.”
As a fellow organisation who recognise and value the need for play within our local communities, please support this campaign by asking colleagues and visitors to sign the petition to ensure all primary schools are required to demonstrate how they provide quality outdoor free play for every child.
Please show your support by:
– clicking this link to complete a quick online petition.
– sharing @opalnortheast social media campaign posts to raise awareness
Huge thanks for any support you are able to offer this campaign.
Please see the below list of activities, free or reduced price meals and financial support toolkits.
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded an Inspire Grant to create “A Garden for Growth”! 
This isn’t just a garden—it’s a sanctuary designed to support our pupil’s emotional wellbeing and communication skills. From sensory zones filled with lavender and mint to quiet “calm corners” for reflection, this space will be the heart of our SEMH support.
What’s coming? 
Tactile play panels 
Soothing water features 
Edible herb & berry gardens 
An open-air outdoor classroom
We want YOU to be part of it! 
Whether you have a green thumb or just want to help us dig in, we’d love for our community to get involved. Please contact the school office if you’d like to help us bring this vision to life!
Let’s watch our pupils (and our plants!) bloom together. 
