OLA-Sharples Primary School-BL1 8RU-26/Feb/2025

It was great to see the really positive changes in children’s attitudes to outdoor learning – not to mention the increased enthusiasm of staff and parents – resulting from all your efforts.

The evidence provided for this benchmark demonstrates the positive impact on learning achieved by the school's increased focus on outdoor activities. Children enjoy the broad range of provision, find outdoor learning exciting and, crucially, can identify skills they have developed as a result. All pupils now regularly engage in outdoor learning.

The introduction of the Forest School club has been particularly popular with SEND and disadvantaged children – some of whom had not previously taken part in any extracurricular activities - who appreciate the opportunity to engage in more self-directed activity. Parent feedback shows the positive impact of the annual residential trip to PGL on confidence around risk taking.

Improving and extending provision – as well as ensuring that all children have access to appropriate clothing – means that all pupils can participate in outdoor learning. Changes to the timetable ensure that all children have significant access to Forest Schools provision on top of the regular outdoor learning activities. The effectiveness of the school’s provision has also been noted by its school improvement partner.

The school has solid safety protocols in place. Risk benefit / analyses of outdoor learning activities are thoughtful and considered with the result that the school has only experienced a single serious incident which their evidence shows was dealt with most effectively.

Staff feedback on the broad range of relevant CPD provided is extremely positive. This, together with opportunities to observe and work alongside the outdoor learning lead, have resulted in significant increases in confidence.

The school has recruited a highly enthusiastic group of eco warriors and case studies show how outdoor learning has positively impacted on particular children’s engagement with education. Pupils are consulted about provision and the lead has made changes to the curriculum (for example around the use of tools) to accommodate their feedback.

Parents are enthusiastic about the school’s outdoor curriculum and agree that it enhances learning. Making it an ‘official’ part of the school day – as opposed to an ‘add-on’ - has further helped in this regard.