Best Practice

Outdoor learning: Outside and outstanding

In the drive for outcomes, the contribution that outdoor learning can make is sometimes neglected. Suzanne O’Connell talks to headteacher Ruth Dean about how it’s become a foundation of their school

Ruth Dean is headteacher at Johnson Fold Community Primary School in Bolton. She has overseen the blossoming of this school from it almost going into special measures only eight weeks after she arrived to more recently receiving an outstanding judgement.

Their February 2016 report is more colourful than many of the Ofsted reports that you read, even the outstanding ones. Phrases such as “inject plenty of fun into learning”, “engage and capture pupils’ attention”, “a love of learning that percolates through the school” and “oasis of learning and care” have delighted the team at Johnson Fold.

One of the reasons perhaps that this report is so detailed and reflective of the school is that the school has made a priority not only of ensuring standards are right in the core subjects, but of ensuring a well-rounded and balanced education as well – a significant part of which is their approach to learning outside the classroom.

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