Score your outdoor environment honestly across 33 statements. Takes around 10 minutes. Get an instant result and personalised next steps.
0
Current scoreout of 165
Score updates as you go · Score each statement 1 (not good at all) to 5 (excellent)
1
Site and landscape
The physical character of your outdoor environment
0
/ 75
Natural environment
Score each statement 1–5
Access to woodland, trees or natural habitat
Presence of planting, biodiversity or natural features
Opportunities for children to interact with nature (not just observe it)
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"If your outdoor space is mostly tarmac, you're making life harder than it needs to be. Children are drawn to nature — it does half the work for you. Even small pockets of planting or a few well-placed trees can completely change how a space is used."
Surface variety
Score each statement 1–5
Balance of grass, hard surfaces and all-weather areas
Surfaces support a range of play types
Surfaces remain usable in different weather conditions
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"Too many schools are either all grass (mud in winter) or all hard surface (limited play). The best spaces have a mix. If parts of your site are out of action for months of the year, that's not a weather problem — that's a design problem."
Safety surfacing and impact zones
Score each statement 1–5
Appropriate safety surfacing in key areas
Impact zones are well planned and maintained
Safety enables challenge rather than restricts it
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"Safety surfacing shouldn't mean 'no challenge'. If everything feels flat and over-controlled, children will either disengage or use it in ways you didn't expect. Good design allows challenge to exist safely — it doesn't remove it altogether."
Topography and usability
Score each statement 1–5
Flat areas and marked pitches for games and group activity
Variation in levels (slopes, mounds, features)
Space is fully usable (no dead zones)
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"Flat playgrounds are easy — but they're also boring. Slight changes in level create endless play value. Also, walk your site: where do children not go? That's usually where opportunity is being missed."
Drainage and year-round use
Score each statement 1–5
Site drains effectively
Outdoor spaces usable throughout the year
Opportunities for meaningful play in all weather conditions
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"If you hear 'we can't use that in winter' regularly, something needs fixing. The best schools design for January, not just July. Year-round usability is one of the biggest differences between average and great spaces."
2
Space and growth potential
Flexibility and future development opportunity
0
/ 45
Capacity and expansion
Score each statement 1–5
Space available for future development
Ability to deliver phased improvements
Elements on site can be moved to create a different space
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"Even tight sites have potential. I've seen incredible transformations in the smallest urban schools. The key is thinking in phases — not trying to do everything at once."
Flexibility of space
Score each statement 1–5
Flexibility for areas to be used in different ways
Spaces can be adapted to suit different age groups and activities
Layout allows change over time
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"If a space only does just one thing, it will get old quickly. The best environments are re-used, reinterpreted and constantly evolving. Children should be able to surprise you with how they use it."
Multi-use opportunities
Score each statement 1–5
Covered outdoor spaces to support play and learning
Used beyond break times for breakout and teaching spaces
Enables different types of engagement
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"Your outdoor space should be working all day, not just at lunch. If it's empty outside lesson time, that's a missed opportunity. The schools doing this well treat the whole site as part of the classroom."
3
Safety, boundaries and planning
Compliance, supervision and future constraints
0
/ 45
Boundaries and safeguarding
Score each statement 1–5
Secure and appropriate boundaries
No major safeguarding risks
Boundaries don't overly restrict use
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"Boundaries are essential — but they shouldn't dominate the experience. You can create safe spaces without making them feel enclosed or limiting."
Planning and constraints
Score each statement 1–5
Awareness of planning considerations
Site allows for future development
Constraints are understood
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"Planning can feel like a barrier, but it's usually manageable if you think ahead. The mistake is leaving it too late. The best projects consider constraints early and design around them."
Visibility and supervision
Score each statement 1–5
Clear sightlines
Spaces can be supervised effectively
Layout supports independent play
PD
Pete Dean, former headteacher"You don't need to see every child every second — but you do need confidence in the space. Good design allows children some independence while still giving staff oversight where it matters."
Get your full results
Enter your details below to see your personalised score, band and recommended next steps. Pete Dean will also follow up with specific suggestions for your school.
We'll only use your details to send your results and follow up about your school's outdoor provision. No spam and no sharing your data with others, ever.
0
out of 165
—
—
—
Site & landscape
0
/ 75
Space & growth
0
/ 45
Safety & planning
0
/ 45
Pete Dean, Schools Lead — CAP.CO
Let's talk about your school
Pete Dean works with schools across the UK to turn ambitious visions into extraordinary outdoor spaces. No obligation — just an honest conversation.
