The OPT Award

Supporting students aged 16+ in their transition to adulthood.

The OPT Award is a tool to support 16+ students with additional needs in their transition to adulthood and the future, embracing their personal development and emotional well-being. These additional needs may be physical, emotional, social, cognitive, complex, medical or a combination. There are no exclusions on who can participate.

It is aimed at the individual participating in activities, they may have never encountered, providing them with enriching life experiences and enabling positive risk taking, personal challenges and a sense of community and achievement.

We’re excited to welcome you on this journey with us, and we’re sure you’ll agree there’s something for everyone to make the most of these valuable experiences.

The Leapfrog Award

Supporting students aged 13+ to encourage self-improvement and improvement of the world around them.

Following feedback from those excited about The OPT Award, we have also launched The Leapfrog Award. Aimed at the younger cohort of pupils and with two strands to participate in, they can improve their skills ahead of taking part in The OPT Award once they turn 16.

Meet Lynda, OPT Award Founder

I have been teaching children with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) for over 20 years. I originally came into the teaching profession in 1983 as a primary practitioner and during my career have taught in many different types of establishments and have supported many areas of special needs.

I finally specialised in the teaching and learning of students with PMLD. During this time, it became very apparent that students with additional needs, including complex and profound needs, may not have the same access to accredited award schemes as those in a mainstream setting. I wanted to develop an approach that recognised children’s achievements, regardless of ability.

Having identified the need for an accredited scheme that catered specifically for children with complex needs, I felt determined to create an award that provided opportunities to enrich children’s lives whilst enabling positive risk taking and personal challenge. That need was to become The OPT Award.

I would like to thank:

  • my principal, Jon Seaward, for his support and believing in this award,

  • Cat Abbott from Diverse Abilities, for her skills, enthusiasm, and hard work in helping me develop and market the award,

  • my colleague, Lesley Turrall, who willingly agreed and contributed to the trial of the award,

  • Rosalind Field, assistant headteacher at Northern Counties School in Newcastle, and her colleague Rebecca Fletcher, assistant headteacher at Percy Hedley School in Killingworth for agreeing to trial The OPT Award, and for being almost as excited as I,

  • Finally, I would like to thank my amazing team, without whom this would not have been as much fun, and most importantly to the amazing Langside students who provided the incentive and motivation to create The OPT Award.

I hope everyone enjoys their journey through The OPT Award, and I can’t wait to see what everyone’s achievements are.

Best wishes & happy adventures,

Lynda Larke