Beach School

Imaginative, innovative, inspiring and ingenious, Sam is the ultimate approachable, flexible and reliable professional who brings learning to life in the outdoors for all who have the privilege to spend time in his company. His enthusiastic approach engages children and professionals alike and this is underpinned by his unparalleled subject knowledge, a creative mind and a dedication to make the learning experience an ultimate one. Sam is also always open to new ideas and to work closely with teachers to ensure that the learning is tailored specifically to the context. Ox Close has had the privilege of working with Sam and the equally brilliant wider SC.OUT.ED team for several years now and his sessions are a weekly highlight for our pupils.

At Ox Close, SC.OUT.ED provide a diverse and progressive outdoor offer, ranging from bushcraft to pond dipping, from arts using natural matrerials to archery, holiday provision and the ever popular fire activities! Sam has helped to develop our amazing outdoor area and he has provided enriching and enlightening professional development for a host of staff from Ox Close and beyond. Sam has a fantastic team which is very much in his own image – friendly, wise and approachable and both he and his colleagues are very much an integral part of the team at Ox Close and many other schools.

What SC.OUT.ED offer was perhaps best summarised by one pupil earlier this year:

“The best, the top of the tops, I mean right off the scale is Outdoor Learning with Sam Jackson!”

It is with great pleasure that I offer my full endorsement of Sam and his exceptional organisation.

We have been working with SC.OUT.ED for two years now. In that time we have had no complaints – Chris has never arrived late and he is always very prepared…I’ve never seen so many items of equipment carried by one person! The children love the sessions; they come running the minute he arrives and always want to help out. Chris has a lovely, nurturing manner with the children and a sunny personality. The whole school is always happy to see him; staff included; there is nothing Chris will not try to complete in a session and there are no children he is not willing to work with. During our sessions Chris works with our whole school from our littlest two year olds to our nurture group who  often have significant SEMH needs. Chris is a member of our school team; he’ll even help out over the dinner-time between his sessions – I am sure no other company would be as helpful.

On a learning note, we have noticed our children have become much more resilient since starting SC.OUT.ED – they do not mind being outside whatever the weather and we see more cooperation and teamwork taking place long after Chris has gone home. On playtimes and lunchtimes we see the children applying their skills by making dens on the field and sharing their resources fairly. We have also analysed our attendance and find that most classes have 100% attendance on the days that SC.OUT.ED are working with them; this has helped our attendance improve over the last two years.

I could not recommend SC.OUT.ED more highly; they are truly a professional company. Communication is always quick and all services are transparent. I can’t wait to work with them again soon.

The children thoroughly enjoyed the session and developed their knowledge about the Stone Age. The day was fantastic. It was delivered very well, the children were engaged all day and they learnt a lot about the topic, as well as developing skills such as team building and problem solving.

We wanted a high interest, active day with lots for the children to get stuck into and we got that from Mark. Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design with aspects of Communication and Language were successfully delivered. The delivery and management of the day was very good. Communication beforehand was quick and thorough. We really enjoyed the day, thank you!

The session was booked to enhance the children’s imagination – it definitely delivered on this! The day was organised brilliantly and was enjojed by both children and adults….the children were asking when you were coming back for the rest of the week!

I enjoyed the activities immensely because you were there to add knowledge, enthusiasm and a ‘different slant’ on our habitats topic. Your delivery at our school was fantastic and our aims to increase the children’s knowledge and enjoyment were met. The day was very well delivered, organised and managed. We were extremely impressed with how you were with the children and your knowledge of the topic. We shall be contacting you again to see if you have any other topics that you could deliver.

Over the three sessions, all the children learnt new skills and enjoyed their time outdoors! It gave me increased knowledge and the confidence to plan and to deliver similar activities myself. The original aim, to link to PE and specifically an outdoor and adventurous activity core task, was met – especially on teamworking and cooperation. All the sessions were well planned and organised and they were delivered and managed well. Every activity challenged the children and taught them new skills. It was good to see less confident children have the opportunity to shine too!

Sam’s approach to our science topic, ‘dissolving’, promoted autonomy and self discovery. The children learnt some theory, put the theory into practise and then explained what had happened – the children loved it! I have learnt that the children need to have time for self discovery in order to better understand science. Sam was extremely organised and it made for a stress free activity day. I’d seriously recommend Sam to other schools, he’s great!

This was the most enjoyable training course I’ve been on in some time! The course leaders were really helpful and knowledgeable. I feel inspired to motivate the children and to start some growing activities! Thank you so much.