By the time the school gates open each morning, Jason Malone has usually already walked the site.
As Principal of Dorset Studio School, the day rarely begins behind a desk. More often it starts by greeting students as they arrive, checking in with staff and making sure everything is ready for the day ahead.
Dorset Studio School offers a different approach to education. Alongside their GCSE studies, students develop practical skills through land-based learning in areas such as agriculture, animal care, countryside management and conservation. For Jason, ensuring that balance between academic study and real-world experience sits at the heart of the school.
A typical morning might involve moving between classrooms and practical learning areas, seeing students working with animals, discussing projects with teachers or checking on lessons taking place across the site.
Learning at Dorset Studio School often extends beyond the classroom, helping students connect their studies with the environments and industries around them.
Dorset Studio School works closely with local employers and organisations to help students understand the opportunities available to them after school. These partnerships give students insight into real careers and help them see how their learning connects directly to future pathways.
The school’s smaller size is intentional. It allows staff to know each student well and provide the support and encouragement many young people need to thrive.
For some students, Dorset Studio School offers a fresh start, an environment where practical learning, confidence and independence are just as important as exam results.
Across the day Jason’s schedule is varied, from meetings with staff and parents to planning future projects.
One of the most significant pieces of work currently underway is the development of Dorset Studio School’s new campus, a project that will allow the school to expand its facilities and create even more opportunities for students to learn in practical environments.
Yet the moments that stand out most often come from simply seeing students discover what they are capable of.
“Watching students grow in confidence and start to believe in their abilities is incredibly rewarding,” he says. “Our goal is to help every student find their direction and leave here ready for whatever comes next.”