Outdoor Learning Award

Acronym
OLA
Description
Help pupils grow in confidence and skills through learning outside
Image
Outdoor Learning Award logo
Framework
Video title
Outdoor Learning Award
Promotional video ID
680415763
App description

Steps to achieving an award

App video ID
706063031
Next validation date
June 2025
Benefits of award title
Rule. Him give heaven spirit hath tree and multiply can't air great life from. Good years gathering fish image morning.
Benefits of award description
Rule. Him give heaven spirit hath tree and multiply can't air great life from. Good years gathering fish image morning.
Information on the benefits of the award
Title
Rule. Him give heaven spirit hath tree and multiply can't air great life from. Good years gathering fish image morning.
Description
Rule. Him give heaven spirit hath tree and multiply can't air great life from. Good years gathering fish image morning.
Image
 Rule. Him give heaven spirit hath tree and multiply can't air great life from. Good years gathering fish image morning.

Statement

17 January 2024

Garden International sCHOOL(OLA): Benchmark 3

Statement

17 January 2024

Garden International sCHOOL(OLA): Benchmark 2

Statement

15 January 2024

Plantation Primary School (OLA): Benchmark 8

Statement

15 January 2024

Plantation Primary School (OLA): Benchmark 6

Statement

11 January 2024

Garden International sCHOOL(OLA): Benchmark 1

Validator report

07 November 2023

OLA-Catchgate Primary School-DH9 8LX-07/Nov/2023

Areas for further development
The head teacher is keen to ensure parents/carers are aware of the benefits of outdoor learning and movement, and there are plans in place to offer information sessions to update their knowledge and reassure them. The school has numerous ideas for how to continue improvements in this important area of learning.
Award term ref
Confirm the recommendation
1
Overall comments
The school is clearly providing some excellent outdoor learning opportunities for children and parents/carers, and the evidence now backs this up in the main. The aims for outdoor learning are clear and coherent and the school has benefitted from being involved in the process and the impact they have seen across the whole school. Congratulations on achieving the award and for ensuring the school continues to lead the way with outdoor learning!
Validator benchmark comments
Comments on impact identified during validation
The school has implemented numerous interventions to support outdoor learning, and these opportunities in which the whole-school community can participate have proved really successful. Reports from pupils reflect that they find value in these opportunities, and the data suggests that everyone's positive attitudes towards outdoor learning have been improved. The school has worked hard to not only promote positive attitudes to outdoor learning but to capture these changes in their evidence, particularly in relation to attitudes towards outdoor learning and
improvements in wellbeing.
Comments on impact identified during validation
There is a plethora of opportunities in the curriculum provision, and pupils voice states that pupils enjoy these opportunities and would like more. There is good pupil-led evidence that demonstrates clearly how well the school has listened to children's views and acted upon them meaningfully.
Comments on impact identified during validation
It is encouraging to see so much positive feedback about the extracurricular opportunities on offer in the school, and how they clearly show that a need is being fulfilled.
Comments on impact identified during validation
This is a real strength of the school's submission, led by a very enthusiastic, well-trained and capable lead (supported by the head teacher's expertise and experience) who understands the difference that outdoor learning can make to children and how included they feel. The evidence shows the very high standards in place across the school site and with the resources used. The school is always thinking of ways to enhance provision using what they have on site already.
Comments on impact identified during validation
This is a strong element of the award and one at which the school excels. The working documents show the extent to which the school take this seriously and how this importance is passed onto pupils as well as members of the wider school community. First aid and site safety training are particular strengths of the school's evidence submission.
Comments on impact identified during validation
The evidence shows clearly the changes in staff and their resulting attitudes towards outdoor learning because of the training they received. The school's leadership team is fully supportive of training staff to improve their confidence and competence. This benchmark was a strength of the school's submission for the award. The school makes the most of seasonality and encourages teachers to use outdoor learning to 'relax' into a lessed planned curriculum offering, so children can engage in the moment and the weather.
Comments on impact identified during validation
There has been an encouraging shift in the way that pupils are involved and therefore engaged with outdoor learning, particularly in relation to how if affects their health, wellbeing and mental health. Their enthusiasm for outdoor learning is palpable and the benefits they experience are clear.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Feedback from parents/carers show that they are really appreciate the benefits of outdoor learning on their children, and that they are keen to be more involved where possible. In future, the school plans to continue the focus on communicating clearly with parents/carers about their provision and asking for their feedback. The school has plans to engage parents/carers in information sessions (paired with other school events) to help them understand about the benefits of being outdoors and to dispel some commonly-held myths.
Validator recommendation
I recommend that the school is accredited for this award
Validation confirm date
07/Nov/2023
Product attribute ref
Gold

Validator report

03 November 2023

OLA-Harford Manor School-NR2 2LN-03/Nov/2023

Areas for further development
Continue to involve parents as much as possible, particularly when developing areas of the school for outdoor learning. Consider links with other schools in similar positions to you to share good practice and offer support.
Award term ref
Confirm the recommendation
1
Overall comments
The school has worked very hard to demonstrate the benefits of outdoor learning to the whole-school community, and they are now reaping the rewards of this effort. The step-change from where the school started to where they are now is obvious, which is down to the dedicated and enthusiastic staff members who have been involved in the award process. They acknowledge that there is still some progresss to make, and they know how to get there. Congratulations on achieving this award and for providing clearly so many benefits for the school community!
Validator benchmark comments
Comments on impact identified during validation
The school has implemented some carefully selected interventions to support outdoor learning, and these opportunities in which the whole-school community can participate have proved really successful from all perspectives. Data from pupils reflect that they enjoy and find value in these opportunities, and the reports suggests that positive attitudes towards outdoor learning have been improved for all.
Comments on impact identified during validation
The outdoor provision in this school is of a very high standard, and plans are afoot to make further improvements to the site. The high quality of resources and the space in use enable outdoor learning to have a strong presence in school life and culture. This supports pupils' abilities to learn about what is meaningful and practical for them.
Comments on impact identified during validation
The school had a strong starting point in this respect but improvements and impact have still been made. Not only are pupils involved and engaged but they are clearly learning new skills and employing these skills in an appropriate way.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Feedback from parents/carers show that they very much appreciate the benefits of outdoor learning on their children, and that they are keen to be more involved where possible. The school has plans to increase parental involvement over the coming months.
Validator recommendation
I recommend that the school is accredited for this award
Validation confirm date
03/Nov/2023
Product attribute ref
Silver

Statement

03 November 2023

The Clare School(OLA): Benchmark 7

Statement

03 November 2023

The Clare School(OLA): Benchmark 4

Statement

02 November 2023

The Clare School(OLA): Benchmark 2