Open Air Education
| Type | Independent School / Other independent school |
| Age Range | 4-14 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Oakerside Lodge Castle Eden Dene Nnr Stanhope Chase County Durham SR8 1NJ |
| Reference Number | 150768 |
Open Air Education is performing well overall as it embarks on its first inspection. The school presents a happy and calm environment with strong relationships between staff and pupils, fostering a sense of safety and belonging. The ambitious curriculum, rooted in nature, supports pupils' academic and social development effectively, and most pupils make steady progress. However, while pupils develop key skills, there are areas for growth, particularly in handwriting instruction and cultural understanding within the PSHE curriculum.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 14 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 57.14%
Girls: 42.86% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 0% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 100% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 08 Jul 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 08 Jul 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 12 Jun 2024 | Pre-registration inspection |
| Proposed to open |
Strengths
- High expectations for pupils' achievement both academically and socially.
- Strong focus on personal development and building resilience.
- Outstanding behaviour and positive attitudes to learning.
- Effective outdoor learning environment that enhances engagement.
- Staff build positive relationships with pupils, making them feel valued.
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent understanding of some aspects of the PSHE curriculum, particularly regarding other cultures and faiths.
- Insufficient support for developing handwriting skills for some pupils.
| Name | Distance |
|
Shotton Hall Primary School
Waveney Road, Peterlee, County Durham, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 1NX |
0.58 miles |
|
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School
Westway, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 1DE |
0.75 miles |
|
Dene House Primary School
Manor Way, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 5RL |
1.01 miles |
|
Howletch Lane Primary School
Pennine Drive, County Durham, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2NQ |
1.03 miles |
|
Hesleden Primary School
Hesleden, Hartlepool, TS27 4PT |
1.21 miles |
|
Seascape Primary School
Ellison Road, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 5NJ |
1.3 miles |
|
Acre Rigg Infant School
Acre Rigg Road, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2DU |
1.41 miles |
|
Acre Rigg Academy
Acre Rigg Road, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2DU |
1.42 miles |
|
Yohden Primary School
Windsor Terrace, Horden, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 4HP |
1.51 miles |
|
Cotsford Primary School
Third Street, Horden, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 4EH |
1.53 miles |
|
Horden Nursery School
Cotsford Park, Peterlee, SR8 4TB |
1.58 miles |
|
Blackhall Primary School
Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool, TS27 4NA |
1.77 miles |
|
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
Thorpe Road, Horden, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 4AB |
1.88 miles |
|
Wingate Community Nursery School
Partridge Terrace, Wingate, TS28 5BD |
1.96 miles |
|
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Blackhall
Coast Road, Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool, TS27 4HE |
1.96 miles |
|
Hutton Henry CofE (Controlled) Primary School
Hutton Henry, Hartlepool, TS27 4RY |
1.98 miles |
|
St Marys Catholic Primary School, Wingate
Welfare Park, Wingate, Co Durham, County Durham, TS28 5AN |
2.14 miles |
|
Wingate Primary School
Church Street, Wingate, County Durham, TS28 5AQ |
2.2 miles |
|
Shotton Primary School
Grange Terrace, Shotton Colliery, County Durham, DH6 2JP |
2.37 miles |
|
Easington CofE Primary School
EASINGTON VILLAGE, HALL WALK, PETERLEE, COUNTY DURHAM, SR8 3BP |
2.68 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
The Academy at Shotton Hall
Passfield Way, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 1AU |
0.63 miles |
|
St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College
Westway, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 1DE |
0.79 miles |
|
East Durham College
Willerby Grove, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2RN |
1.07 miles |
|
Dene Academy
Manor Way, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 5RL |
1.1 miles |
|
Wellfield School
North Road East, Wingate, County Durham, TS28 5AX |
1.9 miles |
|
Easington Academy
Stockton Road, Easington Village, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 3AY |
2.46 miles |
|
Hope Wood Academy
Crawlaw Road, Easington Colliery, Peterlee, Durham, SR8 3LP |
2.74 miles |
|
St Hild's Church of England School
King Oswy Drive, West View, Hartlepool, TS24 9PB |
4.92 miles |