Archived decisions

THE OFSTED INSPECTOR'S REPORT ON OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRES

1. The Hampshire Outdoor Service was very pleased to have contributed to a recent OfSTED report into the quality of teaching and learning in outdoor centres across England and Wales and when the inquiry was announced the service immediately put forward Calshot Activities Centre as one of the 15 centres nationwide that would be visited and inspected in order to generate the evidence for the report.

2. The inspector's report stated that "outdoor learning makes an important contribution to students' physical, personal and social development" and the quality of teaching in such centres was found to be good or better in 80% of sessions and very good in 32%; the quality of resources and facilities in outdoor centres was generally good in the majority of centres and very good in many. It was also noted that the quality of outdoor teaching was generally far better when carried out by specialist staff in outdoor centres.

3. In the report none of the centres involved were singled out. However, in an earlier feedback report the inspector who visited Calshot commented on the high quality of equipment, facilities, teaching and management that he had encountered during his inspection.

4. The Executive Member has recognised and welcomed the recent OfSTED report and has reaffirmed the commitment of the Recreation and Heritage Department, in partnership with the Education Department, to the vision of the Hampshire Outdoor Service to provide high quality and safe outdoor learning to young people across Hampshire.

5. This supports Aims 1 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy.

4IR1041104