Validator report

05 November 2025

OLA-The Dales-NE24 4RE-05/Nov/2025

Areas for further development
-Continue to develop OPAL, integrating and embedding key values and practices into school life across sites.
- To become a centre of Excellence for training for Forest and Beach School.
-To broaden the provision for external visits and integrate parent involvement.
Award term ref
Confirm the recommendation
1
Overall comments
The Dales School has transformed its approach through a creative curriculum that integrates wellbeing, outdoor learning and play. Initiatives have enriched pupils’ experiences, fostering awe, wonder and curiosity. Behaviour incidents have reduced significantly, with children showing greater happiness, confidence and resilience. Pupils who once struggled to engage now thrive in play-based environments, building essential life skills and emotional stability. Attendance and participation have increased markedly, reflecting pupils’ renewed enthusiasm for learning. The impact is visible across the whole community—learners are thriving, families are engaged, and teachers feel empowered.
School ref
Validator benchmark comments
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Outdoor learning is deeply embedded in school life, creating awe, wonder and excitement. Pupils thrive in Forest and Beach School sessions, showing increased happiness, engagement and curiosity. Staff and parents report significant improvements in behaviour, teamwork and confidence. Case studies show children with complex needs making remarkable progress when learning in outdoor environments.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
The school has introduced a creative, topic-based curriculum that is broad, balanced and focused on life skills and personal development. Previously, a heavily academic approach led to disengagement and higher behaviour incidents. The new curriculum, enriched with wellbeing and play-based pedagogy, has significantly improved behaviour, engagement and attendance. Children are happier, more motivated to learn and benefit from diverse activities such as Commando Joe’s, Beach School and Forest School.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Forest and Beach School are integral to the curriculum offer for all children at the school, providing hands-on experiences that link learning across subjects such as Science, Geography and History. Children are more engaged and confident, showing progress across these subjects. Interest-led clubs like football and golf, and Commando Joe’s sessions have had a strong impact on pupils’ personal development, notably promoting more positive social interactions amongst peers.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Improved access to outdoor areas through OPAL and Forest School planning has created inclusive, inspiring environments. Pupils demonstrate awe, wonder and excitement about learning when exploring freely outdoors, leading to improved social skills and engagement. Case studies evidence children making significant progress in confidence, communication and emotional regulation through consistent, purposeful outdoor learning experiences that build cultural capital. External visits using Beach School and utilising beaches and areas in the local area has provided variety and enriched experiences.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Carefully risk-assessed and inclusive outdoor spaces ensure all pupils can participate safely. Activities promote exploration and independence within a secure environment. Awe and curiosity thrive as pupils confidently engage with nature. Case studies show children with higher needs becoming calmer, more focused and resilient, with improved emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff receive high-quality training in Forest and Beach School, increasing confidence and ensuring consistent practice. Trained practitioners deliver sessions that nurture curiosity and self-belief. These sessions have upskilled teachers and they have seen a tangible application and impact on the children in their class. Staff now feel empowered and have autonomy over curriculum based activities. Staff strengths and passions have been ignited and utilised through further opportunities, and staff feel listened to and valued.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Pupils actively lead and shape outdoor learning experiences, developing ownership and independence. The approach inspires awe, curiosity and collaboration. Behaviour and regulation have improved significantly, and pupils are happier and more confident. Case studies show children with complex needs making substantial progress through supportive, exploratory environments that foster inclusion and success. Impact includes children being able to self-regulate and be more confident, happier and independent. Children have higher levels of attendance and report being happier and more confident when they are learning.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Parents are highly engaged through events like “Santa in the Hobbit Hut” and outdoor family sessions, which inspire shared awe and pride. Home-school partnerships have strengthened, and parents report happier, calmer children. Case studies show outdoor experiences enriching lives, building resilience and offering unique real-world learning that extends well beyond the classroom. Instant uploads through iSend and social media outlets have promoted events and celebrated progress with parents who have reported changes in behaviour. Children are now able to access trip-based experiences when they were not able to do this in main stream setting.
Validator recommendation
I recommend that the school is accredited for this award
Validation confirm date
05/Nov/2025
Product attribute ref
Gold