Statement
23 February 2025
Outdoor Learning Award
Acronym
OLA
Description
Help pupils grow in confidence and skills through learning outside
Image
Framework
OLA framework.pdf90.21 KB
Video title
Outdoor Learning Award
Promotional video ID
680415763
App description
App video ID
706063031
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
Statement
23 February 2025
Sharples Primary School(OLA): Benchmark 4
Statement
23 February 2025
Sharples Primary School(OLA): Benchmark 3
Statement
23 February 2025
Sharples Primary School(OLA): Benchmark 2
Statement
23 February 2025
Sharples Primary School(OLA): Benchmark 1
Validator report
18 February 2025
OLA-Hollywood Park Nursery School-SK3 0BJ-18/Feb/2025
Areas for further development
Continue the focus on developing staff awareness of how outdoor learning contributes to children’s learning, in particular the opportunities you provide for them to share experiences with and learn from each other based on their observations of children’s developing skills and awareness. As discussed, survey families to gain a greater understanding of their attitudes to outdoor learning and improve the relevance of information that you share with them.
Award term ref
Confirm the recommendation
1
Overall comments
Outdoor learning is a real strength at Hollywood Park. Leaders have a clear understanding of its benefits and how it contributes to wider learning goals. There is a broad range of provision and the nursery has successfully developed staffs' skills and knowledge around how to utilise facilities most effectively. Children and adults are clearly enthused by the offer which has contributed significantly to the development of children's skills and confidence. The voices and interests of staff, children and parents has informed the development of provision.
School ref
Validator benchmark comments
Comments on impact identified during validation
Leaders have worked hard to ensure that both staff and parents have a good understanding of the value of outdoor learning. Through a combination of training and ongoing discussion, staff have gained greater confidence to support children’s play and learning and pupils’ willingness to sample a greater range of activities and expand their own boundaries has improved.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Leaders have prioritised training in this area (see below). The nursery has two qualified forest school practitioners and has worked closely with all staff to identify areas of concerns and build confidence. There is a broad range of provision and, while this has always been a core part of the offer, it now contributes even more significantly to the curriculum and children’s learning.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff regularly take children off site to explore the wider community (often with parents as well) and, as a result, have noted an improvement in pupil’s wider knowledge and experience. Parents will often return with the children to explore the local area as a result of these trips and children regularly talk about experiences, they have taken part in outside of school. Staff have also seen individual example of how children have further developed their learning outside of school.
Comments on impact identified during validation
There has been a real focus on curating and maintaining the nursery’s outdoor spaces in which all staff have been involved. This has both improved the quality of provision and helped to develop staff’s interest in and commitment to leading and support outdoor learning. Parents have been given information about appropriate clothing so that children are arriving more prepared to engage in outdoor pursuits.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Risk assessments and risk-benefit analyses are regularly reviewed and shared with staff. As a result, staff are more mindful of the different resources available and how they can be used safely. Their increased confidence has helped them to support children to challenge themselves and try new activities. Children have also been part of these assessments and are encouraged to identify and respond appropriately to risks such as slippery ground or nettles.
Comments on impact identified during validation
This has been a real focus with staff regularly undertaking relevant CPD (e.g. the majority are Physical Development Champions) and sharing experiences of children’s learning stories with each other. Leaders have also developed their own highly impressive training materials. As a result, staff are more confident to plan and support outdoor activities and have a greater understanding of what children are learning and the links between physical development and other knowledge and skills.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff make efforts to involve the voices of all children (including some who are non-verbal) in their planning and delivery of outdoor learning. They have used learning books or photos on iPads to review children’s experiences with them and can site examples of where they have observed children engaging in activities which they have then supported them to develop further - with consequent improvements in their ability to self-regulate and concentrate as well as in their confidence and self-esteem.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Parents regularly join in with community walks or take part in challenges at stay and play sessions. These sessions are well attended and, as a result, staff have noted that children are arriving more prepared for outside activities and that parents are happier for children to engage in these activities regardless of concerns about weather etc.
Validator recommendation
I recommend that the school is accredited for this award
Validation confirm date
18/Feb/2025
Product attribute ref
Gold
Statement
28 January 2025
Greengate Junior School(OLA): Benchmark 5
Statement
24 January 2025
Greengate Junior School(OLA): Benchmark 7
Statement
24 January 2025
Greengate Junior School(OLA): Benchmark 3
Statement
24 January 2025