NOLA
NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEARNING AWARD
RECOGNISING THEIR DEVELOPMENT
What is nola?
NOLA (The National Outdoor Learning Award) offers a simple and adaptable approach that:
- Supports the National Curriculum
- Promotes wellbeing, confidence and social skills
- Encourages reflective learning through hands-on experiences in nature
Why use NOLA?
NOLA is a flexible framework that recognises and develops personal growth through outdoor experiences
- Suitable for all school ages, abilities, and outdoor environments
- Assists learnings to develop knowledge, motivation, esteem, skill, and a desire to learn
- Focuses on personalised learning, reflection and self-assessment rather than formal testing
- Promotes environmental responsibility
- All participants receive a recognised national award certificate that celebrates their personal growth and learning
OVERVIEW
After completing a residential stay with us, the NOLA framework can continue to be used back at school. It helps pupils;
- Reflect on their experience
- Build on key like skills such as confidence, teamwork, and problem solving
- Set new personal goals and take on leadership roles
This ongoing reflection helps sustain the benefits of outdoor education long after pupils return to school.
How does it work?
3 key areas of safety, respect and learning are explored from the perspective of Self, Others and the environment which encourages children to understand their impact, choices and teamwork. These are recorded on their learning outcomes sheet.
The 18 skills within the NOLA framework (six for each key area), help pupils reflect on specific learning moments through prompts such as:
- "I was prepared"
- "I followed instructions"
- "I learned to lead"
- "I learned new skills"
- "I used the environment carefully"
- "I said what my friends were good at"
- "I helped with kind words"
These help children celebrate each other's strengths and recognise their own growth throughout their stay at GWC and beyond.
DOWNLOAD CERTIFICATE
HOW TO BOOK
Get in touch to find out how Grafham Water Centre can help you plan your next adventure.