Why partner with the Outdoor Learning Alliance

Jon Hunt
Nov 7, 2025
2 min read

You want pupils who arrive engaged, calmer, and ready to learn. That’s exactly what our outdoor programmes deliver. We combine woodland learning, allotment projects, and outdoor cooking into curriculum-linked, evidence-informed sessions that boost engagement, wellbeing, practical skills, and measurable progress — and we make it easy for your school to adopt, evaluate, and scale.

What we offer (clear, flexible packages)

Woodland learning sessions — curriculum-linked fieldwork, citizen science, and forest skills for KS2–KS4.
Allotment programme — seasonal growing, science investigations, enterprise projects and writing journals.
Outdoor cooking & food projects — safe, scaffolded cooking that teaches planning, maths, food science and life skills.
Short placements and bespoke AP support — tailored packages for vulnerable or disengaged pupils with clear reintegration plans.
Staff CPD and coaching — practical training so your teachers can lead high-quality outdoor lessons confidently.
Assessment and impact reports — attendance, engagement, wellbeing and curriculum outcomes tracked and reported to governors and SLT.

Why this matters for your school

Boosts engagement and behaviour — our hands-on, sensory experiences reduce defiance and increase focus back in class.
Improves wellbeing and regulation — nature sessions lower stress and support resilience, helping pupils access learning more consistently.
Builds transferable academic progress — we map every activity to curriculum objectives and provide evidence for attainment and skill development.
Supports inclusion and reintegration — short, structured outdoor placements re-engage pupils who struggle in mainstream classrooms and create clear pathways back.
Delivers practical life and vocational skills — allotment enterprise and outdoor cooking link to employability and vocational options.

How we measure success

Pre- and post-placement attendance and engagement scores.
Curriculum-aligned progress checks and pupil work samples.
Wellbeing and behaviour trackers.
Reintegration milestones and pupil-centered action plans.
Regular impact summaries for SLT, governors and parents.

Who benefits

Pupils who are disengaged, anxious, or at risk of exclusion.
Learners who thrive on practical, vocational and sensory approaches.
Governors and trust leaders who need measurable impact and strong safeguarding.

Final word

Our outdoor provision is more than “a nice day out.” It’s a strategic, evidence-informed school partner that improves behaviour, wellbeing and learning outcomes while giving pupils real-life skills. If you want a low-burden, high-impact way to re-engage learners and add curriculum-rich outdoor opportunities, let’s set up a scoping visit and build a pilot that fits your school’s goals.