Children and young people are central to Opera North’s ambition and purpose. Our Schools work sits at the heart of our Learning & Engagement programme, with an annual enrichment offer of activities, projects and events designed specifically for Primary and Secondary students.
KS2 Singing Project
January to July 2026
Take part in Opera North’s brand-new production of Hansel and Gretel based on the opera by Englebert Humperdinck, with in-school workshops and resources for teacher led sessions.
Wonderland Restored 2024. Photography by Tom Arber
The Big Opera Mystery
February to April 2027
A schools matinee for children in Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11).
An expert thief is on the loose, and only you can catch them! Bring your thinking-caps, your magnifying glasses and all your crime-solving skills: this is a mystery like no other, where the suspects are some of the greatest opera characters of all time – and the detective is YOU!
This 1 hour operatic extravaganza, with music played live by the Orchestra of Opera North, will give hundreds of school children in Leeds, Salford, Newcastle and Nottingham an inspiring first encounter with opera in the spring of 2027.
Schools attending will receive an accompanying, cross-curriculum linked resource pack in advance to prepare students and teachers attending the show, ready to use from January 2027.
A performance of Opera North's The Big Opera Mystery
Creative Industries Insight Day (Secondary Schools)
Tuesday 23rd February 2027
A Creative Industries Insight Day for secondary school students in Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16).
The day will provide insight into technical and production careers within the creative industry. You can choose to join for a full school day trip, which will include a carousel of workshops in the morning, followed by a fully staged excerpt from Don Giovanni at the Leeds Grand Theatre after lunch.
There will also be an option to join for the afternoon performance only, which will be brought to life by a welcome talk before the show begins and an insight session following.
To be the first to hear when tickets come on sale register your interest below.
Rehearsals for La rondine at Leeds Grand Theatre. Photography by Tom Arber.
Opera performances at Leeds Grand Theatre
• £10 tickets for Under 18s and pupils (and no booking fees)
• Free teacher ticket for every 10 pupil tickets purchased
• Obligation-free reservations, with no payment due until four weeks before the event
• Choose from any opera, Mon-Fri, seats in price bands C-D
• Free tickets for students and accompanying teachers
• Choose from concerts with the full orchestra of Opera North, short lunchtime chamber concerts or organ recitals
Contact the Kirklees Town Hall Box Office to book on 0148 422 5755.
Opera North is proud to be working in partnership with schools and settings on their Artsmark Award journey. By supporting Artsmark settings, we’re helping to put the arts at the heart of education, inspiring young people to create, experience and participate in high quality arts and culture.
To find out how Opera North can support your Artsmark journey, do contact us on schools@operanorth.co.uk
Get in touch
Please get in touch for further information and to book your place on activities.
Email: schools@operanorth.co.uk
Phone: 0113 223 3520
