Michael Follett BA Hons. PGCE, Director OPAL CIC LTD

Michael gained most of his expertise in play before he was fifteen. He grew up near Bristol, England with a free play range of three miles by the age of ten. He lit fires in the woods, fell off poorly made go-karts and rarely played within half a mile of an adult.

Michael is director of Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL). A not-for-profit company set up to improve children's play opportunities especially in schools and early years settings. His six years as Play Adviser in the Learning and School Effectiveness Team at South Gloucestershire Council covered all areas of play planning and policy delivery especially the development of improved play policy and practice in primary schools and the design of early years play landscapes. His experience in these areas over the past fourteen years has led to the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme for primary schools which has been used in over one hundred and fifty schools across the UK. His other work includes initiating the original Play Rangers and Play Pods projects.

He takes an active part in development of national and international policy and practice. He is currently a trustee of Play England, is play advisor to The National Trust and the Football Association (FA), has advised National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Ministry of Justice, DCSF (UK Gov), and The Lottery.

Recent presentations include the US Play Coalition in North Carolina, the World Forum Foundation on Design in San Francisco and Childspace and Early Education Council speaking tours in New Zealand.

Outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk

outdoorplayandlearning@gmail.com

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