When the Ofsted Inspection framework was revised to include Personal Development as an area for assessment, it was widely well received. We offer outdoor education as a key service to schools who value the positive impact a residential experience has for their students. Most cited by children and staff alike are the gains in confidence, resilience and self-belief. There is an obvious link between this anecdotal evidence and the areas of personal development that Ofsted is particularly looking for.
We are delighted to be involved in a multi-organisation project between Entrust Outdoors and Staffordshire University Academies Trust. Colleagues from both organisations have formed a working group with the intent of devising a Personal Development passport to enhance provision and to improve pupil outcomes. This will include key skills and experiences which schools consider important to access before the children leave their setting.
Read more from one of our outdoor education managers who in his latest article explores the impact of outdoor education on students personal development: https://content.capita.com/Outdoor_Residential_Case_Study