Learning Outside the Classroom
LOtC is about raising achievement through direct, hands-on, practical approaches to learning, that bridge the gap between theory and reality. Whether it takes place in the school grounds; on visits to museums, art galleries or farms; through adventure activities or on cultural exchanges abroad, LOtC is a powerful tool that adds value to classroom learning and offers rich, memorable experiences to young people.
There is a lot of useful information, CPD units, guidance and links to other relevant websites in the LOTC website
Sign up for e-newsletter update here (available to all and no username or password required!)
For all information relating to LOtC please contact Hazel Chadfield
e.mail hazel.chadfield@staffordshire.gov.uk or 01785 854028
LOtC Manifesto
The manifesto was published in 2006 with the aim 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". 
LOtC manifesto There is also a shorter summary leaflet LOtC-Leaflet.pdf
LOtC Awards for Excellence and Innovation
Each year the Council for LOtC present awards to recognize the commitment of educational establishments (such as schools, early years settings and youth organizations) who provide valuable and positive learning experiences for young people beyond the classroom. Staffordshire has been very successful in these awards, as follows:-
Castlechurch Primary School, Stafford, 2008 National and Regional winner
Pye Green Valley Primary School, Cannock, 2009 Regional winner (Oakridge Primary, Stafford, Cheadle Primary and Lansdowne Infants, Burton-on-Trent, were shortlisted)
Western Springs Primary School, Rugeley, 2010 National winners and May Bank Infants School, Newcastle were Regional winners.
Full report and photos of the 2010 awards here
Useful links
Staffordshire Outdoor Education Service website
Geographical Association LOtC Special Interest Group website
Ten Top ideas for getting your students out of the classroom during the summer term on GA website
TIDE Global Learning website
Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge
This is a nationally recognized benchmark that brings together all existing safety and quality badges into one easily identifiable mark of quality. The Quality Badge makes it easier for teaching professionals to organise LOtC activities by helping them to identify organisations providing good quality LOtC activities, reducing paperwork and red tape. More information on the LOTC website and full details including all the holders of the Quality Badge on the Quality Badge website
Learning Outside the Classroom: How far should you go?
An Ofsted report, published in October 2008. One of its key findings is "When planned and implemented well, learning outside the classroom contributed significantly to raising standards and improving pupils' personal, social and emotional development."
Download full report Summary report
Case Studies and reports from Staffordshire schools
Recently, 30 Staffordshire schools received a grant of £500 (after a bidding process) to support LOtC activities during 2010. Teachers and pupils have sent the following reports of their activities.
Abbot Beyne School, Burton: Hanging Baskets
Making Hanging Baskets movie and
script
Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College, Burton: My Place in the UK
Y10 Field visit to Nottingham movie
Boney Hay Primary School, Burntwood: Visit to Avoncroft Buildings Museum
Whole school visit. Reports (Publisher files) from two Y5 pupils. Our visit to Avoncroft and Avoncroft
Burton ARC: Learning Beyond ARC
Students took part in weekly Learning Beyond days giving them access to outdoor education opportunities, including canoeing, sailing and falconry. Learning Beyond Burton ARC report.
Codsall Community High School: Geographical Murder Mystery
Joint Bilbrook Middle and High school fieldwork on Cannock Chase. Geography Crime Scene Investigator, river data, soil analysis and orienteering to solve the mystery! 
Presentation
Croft Primary School, Armitage: Sensory Garden Project
Whole school involved in planning and developing a sensory garden. The report contains stunning photos of the project. Our Sensory Garden Project.
Lansdowne Infants School, Burton: Outdoor Music and Drama Unit
A fantastic project to generate a creative outdoor area which will be available to young learners for many years. Outdoor music and drama unit report
Little Aston Primary School: A New World of Learning
Developing the school grounds. Little Aston School Grounds
Oulton First School, Stone: Wildlife Heaven
A whole school project to develop a wildlife area in the school grounds. Wildlife Heaven project
Richard Clarke First School, Abbots Bromley: Diversity at Goat Lodge
The school was fortunate to have a unique opportunity of using Phil Drabble's former estate as an outside learning environment. The diversity of plants and wildlife is abundant there, having being awarded a site of triple scientific interest. Diversity at Goat Lodge
Ryecroft Middle School, Rocester, Uttoxeter: Visit to Liverpool
An English & Art/ DT Cross-curricular Creative Writing and Art project. Project report
Mary Howard Primary, Edingale and St. Andrew's Primary School, Clifton Campville: Outdoor theatre and classroom
The schools developed an outdoor learning area - the whole project can be seen in 2 PowerPoint presentations. Introduction, aims, development and before and after photos and Impact and key learning.
Western Springs Community Primary School, Rugeley: Natures Secrets and Amazing Forests
Y2 and Y3/4 pupils visited Shugborough Outdoor Education Centre to take part in a number of activities. Y2 report and Y3,4 and 5 report on rocks and soils and forests
Last Modified:
30/03/2012 10:30:44
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