The Outdoors School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 July 2025

The school helps pupils feel a sense of belonging. For instance, each pupil designs and builds a personal 'safe space' when they start at the school. This helps pupils to feel safe and happy at school. All pupils at the school have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The curriculum is designed and adapted effectively to meet the needs of each pupil. Staff understand how to help pupils to achieve. Pupils make good progress towards the targets set out in their education and health care plans. They are well prepared for their next stages in education, employment and training. Pupils learn to understand their feelings and to manage their own behaviour. As a result, the school environment is typically calm and welcoming. Opportunities for wider development are extensive. Pupils take on responsibility for improving the school environment. For example, they design and create new play equipment. Pupils contribute to the life of the school by growing and preparing food to share. Pupils enjoy trying the many sporting and adventurous activities that the school provides.

What the school should improve

• The school has not ensured that some staff teach aspects of the academic and personal development curriculums confidently and clearly. This means that, at times, pupils do not gain the knowledge they need as rapidly as they could. The school should ensure that staff enable pupils to consistently and promptly gain the knowledge that they need to progress well through the curriculum.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)