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Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto

Published on 28 November 2006, following earlier consultation, the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC) Manifesto sets out the Government’s vision and encourages organisations to sign-up to the pledges contained within.

The manifesto states

“We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability and circumstances”

Learning Outside the Classroom is defined as “the use of places other than the classroom for teaching and learning”. Central to the vision is the need to “transfer learning experienced outside to the classroom and vice versa”.

The DfES add that “there is strong evidence that good quality learning outside the classroom adds much to the value of classroom learning. It can lead to a deeper understanding of the concepts that span traditional subject boundaries and which are frequently difficult to teach using classroom methods alone.”

Following on from the manifesto on October the 2nd 2008 The Children’s Secretary Ed Balls called for an end to the “cotton-wool culture” in schools which prevents pupils from going on field trips because of increased paperwork and fears that teachers will be sued if something goes wrong.

Ed Balls said that it was time to allay teachers’ fears about litigation over incidents on school trips once and for all.

Announcing a package of measures to give more support to teachers planning school trips and to slash red tape, Mr Balls insisted that trips and visits into their local community, further afield or even abroad should not be regarded as an “optional extra”, but as a core part of the curriculum.

“It is wrong to wrap children in cotton wool as they grow up. Trips and getting out of the classroom should be part and parcel of school life and always give the most people’s most vivid childhood memories,” he said.

Mr Balls also launched a new £4.5 million resource, produced by the DCSF called Out and About, which will provide advice and training modules to support schools, colleges, early years providers and youth groups offer learning outside the classroom opportunities. It will also include a new scheme to award a kitemark, known as the Quality Badge, to venues that have already passed health and safety checks and are considered interesting and relevant to pupils. Teachers will be able to take children to these venues without having to conduct a risk assessment of their own.

To view the new out and about guidance and learning outside the classroom visit www.lotc.org.uk

The package will provide teachers with ‘how to’ guidance, on including trips into the curriculum and information on where to go and who can help.

Educational Benefits of LOTC

When these experiences are well planned, safely managed and personalised to meet the needs of every child they can:

• Improve academic achievement.
• Provide a bridge to higher order learning. Develop skills and independence in widening range of environments.
• Make learning more engaging and relevant to young people.
• Develop active citizens and stewards of the environment.
• Nurture creativity.
• Provide opportunities for informal learning through play.
• Reduce behaviour problems and improve attendance.
• Stimulate, inspire and improve motivation.
• Develop the ability to deal with uncertainty.
• Provide challenge and the opportunity to take acceptable levels of risk.
• Improve young people’s attitudes to learning.

High Quality Outdoor Education

LOPC strives to ensure high standards on quality, safety, customised programme design, and commitment. We can tailor make your programmes to suit your requirements and place the personal development of your pupils at the top of our priority along with their safety.

Benefits to your pupils

As well as the opportunity to enjoy and experience new activities LOPC staff understands the personal and social educational learning opportunities that can be gained through the outdoors. Our instructors have the skills to create meaningful learning experiences in a positive learning environment. We engage pupils in fun and active ways, where they are encouraged to reflect and think about what they have learned about themselves and others.

We give pupils many opportunities to experience success and to celebrate their achievements, leading to greater self confidence and improved self esteem.

New report from Ofsted 2008

LOTC – how far should we go?

At a time when the government is actively promoting learning outside the classroom this report evaluates the importance of such learning in primary and secondary schools and colleges.

The Ofsted report (02/10/08) reveals that pupils’ participation and achievement can benefit significantly from getting involved with activities outside the classroom — but not all schools and colleges are reaping the full benefits because some do not incorporate many off-site experiences into the curriculum. In the sample of schools visited, it found that well-planned activities not only enhance pupils’ learning, but can also re-engage those who are hard to motivate.
Click here to read or download the full report.

Sign Up to the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto

Leicester City Schools now have the opportunity to sign-up to a National Manifesto on Learning Outside the Classroom

Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances. The Manifesto acts as a shared statement of intent for all who see the benefits to young people and want to help bring about this vision of high quality, meaningful learning experiences for all.

All who support the Manifesto’s vision are invited to endorse and champion it by becoming a signatory, and to pledge any actions they are planning to take in support of the stated aims. Find out more about pledges and signatories and to see which organisations and individuals have already signed up.

To download a copy of the manifesto or to be a signatory, visit
www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/resourcematerials/outsideclassroom