Fit for Sport.
Fit for Life.
Education and athletic excellence. Together, not separate.
Beyond Ascent is a partnership between Open Air Education and Proformance Athlete Development.
It’s a pathway for students in Key Stages 2 to 4 (from age 8) who want to build confidence, strength and lifelong fitness all while thriving academically.
A centre of sporting excellence
The Beacon of Light,
Sunderland
Hours
A personalised, focused session per week, every school week
Sports in the city. Academics in the open air.
Best of both worlds.
An Open Air natural campus based within a National Nature Reserve
Castle Eden Dene
National Nature Reserve,
County Durham
Hours
Monday–Thursday
8:45am–4:15pm
PE isn’t going far enough
Traditional PE gives children a taste of sport, but not the education they need to be fit for life.
We go further.
Sports Academies go too far
They push youth athletes to specialise too early ignoring the holistic movement skills needed to truly progress. We focus on transferable athletic skills that build all-round athletes and confident young people.
Outdoor learning changes everything
Learning outdoors improves focus, resilience and physical literacy. At Open Air Education, students learn through movement, projects and real life.
This pathway has the edge.
Strength & Conditioning Sessions
Led by Proformance coaches at the Beacon of Light: building speed, agility, power, strength, endurance and coordination.
Real-Life, Project-Based Education
Delivered by Open Air Education: focused on developing resilient, curious and capable learners who think beyond the basic classroom environment.
A Balanced, Evidence-Based Approach
Structured sessions every week integrate directly with each student’s learning plan: so academic and athletic progress elevate & improve together.
That Beyond Ascent Edge
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Your child develops key physical attributes: speed, agility, strength, endurance, coordination - all guided by qualified strength and conditioning professionals.
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We fill the gaps that sports-specific training leaves behind. Every athlete learns to move better, train smarter and perform with purpose.
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It’s impossible to prevent every injury, but structured, monitored training reduces risk and builds robust, resilient athletes.
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Students train and connect across sports. They share ideas, learn from one another and grow as confident, well-rounded individuals.
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We don’t just build athletes, we build lifelong movers. Students leave with the skills, knowledge and self-belief to train independently and live healthier, more active lives.
Meet Proformance
Lee Moore, MSc Strength & Conditioning - Director & Lead Coach
“My focus is to improve pillars of athleticism through science-based, professional coaching - helping athletes of all ages move better, perform better, and build lasting confidence.”
Proformance Athlete Development specialises in youth performance training, using research-driven LTAD (Long-Term Athlete Development) models to align physical growth, skill progression and wellbeing.
Learning Outdoors, Growing Within
We aren’t afraid to go against the flow to ensure our students don’t simply coast along in their education. We make bold decisions about how students use their time here, which leads to enhanced academic progress. Simply put, we focus on worldwide educational research and best practices in education. We do more of what works, and none of what doesn’t.
Open Air Education’s entire philosophy including smaller class sizes, short, sharp, focused mastery classes as well as our project-based, outdoor learning approach is proven to build:
Self-esteem through real achievement.
Self-belief through overcoming challenges.
Resilience through movement and nature.
Students don’t just learn about wellbeing - they live it.
“When children move, explore and challenge themselves, they discover what they’re capable of - in sport, in school, in life.”
Curious to Go Beyond?
Beyond Ascent is designed for students and families who want more:
more movement, more purpose, more potential.
Join the next generation of strong, confident, future-ready learners.
Enter your details below to receive our Prospectus via email including pricing, and come along to our next discovery evening for you and your child:
WHERE: Proformance @ The Beacon of Light
WHEN: Thursday 20th November at 5:30pm.
We will email you to confirm your place.