The Outdoors School
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Primary & Secondary
Special school
PUPILS
85
AGES
7 - 16
GENDER
Mixed
TYPE
Other independent special school

How Does The School Perform?

Good
NATIONAL AVG. 2.09
Ofsted report
(08/07/2025)
Full Report - All Reports

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Straw Barn
Barton Lane
Shillingford Abbot
Exeter
EX2 9QQ
01392832632

School Description

The school helps pupils feel a sense of belonging. For instance, each pupil designs and builds a personal ‘safe space’ when they start at the school. This helps pupils to feel safe and happy at school. All pupils at the school have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The curriculum is designed and adapted effectively to meet the needs of each pupil. Staff understand how to help pupils to achieve. Pupils make good progress towards the targets set out in their education and health care plans. They are well prepared for their next stages in education, employment and training. Pupils learn to understand their feelings and to manage their own behaviour. As a result, the school environment is typically calm and welcoming. Opportunities for wider development are extensive. Pupils take on responsibility for improving the school environment. For example, they design and create new play equipment. Pupils contribute to the life of the school by growing and preparing food to share. Pupils enjoy trying the many sporting and adventurous activities that the school provides.

The Outdoors School Parent Reviews



93% Parents Recommend This School
Strongly Agree 79% Agree 14% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>79, "agree"=>14, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 71% Agree 21% Disagree 0% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>71, "agree"=>21, "disagree"=>0, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 43% Agree 50% Disagree 0% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>43, "agree"=>50, "disagree"=>0, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
My Child Has Not Been Bullied 57% Strongly Agree 14% Agree 14% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 0% {"my_child_has_not_been_bullied"=>57, "strongly_agree"=>14, "agree"=>14, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 57% Agree 14% Disagree 21% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>57, "agree"=>14, "disagree"=>21, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
I Have Not Raised Any Concerns 29% Strongly Agree 43% Agree 14% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 0% {"i_have_not_raised_any_concerns"=>29, "strongly_agree"=>43, "agree"=>14, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 86% Agree 7% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>86, "agree"=>7, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 36% Agree 43% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>36, "agree"=>43, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 64% Agree 21% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>64, "agree"=>21, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 71% Agree 21% Disagree 0% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>71, "agree"=>21, "disagree"=>0, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 50% Agree 29% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>50, "agree"=>29, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 21% Agree 36% Disagree 0% Strongly Disagree 21% Don't Know 21% {"strongly_agree"=>21, "agree"=>36, "disagree"=>0, "strongly_disagree"=>21, "dont_know"=>21} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Strongly Agree 86% Agree 7% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>86, "agree"=>7, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025
Yes 93% No 7% {"yes"=>93, "no"=>7} Figures based on 14 responses up to 10-07-2025

Responses taken from Ofsted Parent View

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The Outdoors School Catchment Area Map

This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.