external affairs and policy iconExternal Affairs / Policy / Consultations

Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto

The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto was launched by the Secretary of State for Education, Alan Johnson on 28th November 2006.

LATEST.....

Teaching Outside the Classroom

Placements for trainee teachers in settings other than schools

  • Would you like to help trainee teachers to develop their understanding of partnership working, learning outside the classroom and creativity?
  • Could you offer placements to trainee teachers in your setting?

The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto is looking for settings across England to develop partnerships with teacher training providers to offer diverse placements for trainee teachers. If you are an organisation that works with children and young people, for example outdoor education centres, galleries, theatres, museums and sports clubs, this is a real opportunity to broaden your offer, attract new audiences, and influence the next generation of teachers.

You have the resources and expertise trainee teachers need... So sign up now and find out more at www.teachingoutsidetheclassroom.com

  • Download guidance on every aspect of placements
  • Register on our database of interested providers and settings
  • Access bespoke support to help you find teacher training providers and develop placements

The Manifesto Newsletter

A new bi-monthly e-newsletter funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families on behalf of the Manifesto Partnership. To view issue 3 of this newsletter (Feb 08) click here.

  • The third issue of the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto e-newsletter is now online. It will come out every two months. The aim is to share news and events among Manifesto partners as well as letting people know about relevant DCSF activity.

Main points from the newsletter:

Newsletter contributions and info.

  • The newsletter is a resource for all Manifesto partners and they would be delighted if they could include information from all eight activity sector partnerships in forthcoming issues. If you have news and articles that you would like to contribute please do let us know – contact details are at the bottom of the newsletter.
  • They want your input to the next e-newsletter. To submit updates, ideas, news and articles, please contact a member of the LOtC communications team, or on 020 7419 7000.
  • For more information on the Manifesto Action Plan and how your organisation can become involved with Learning Outside the Classroom, please contact the LOtC team at the DCSF.

 

Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto : Adventurous Activities Communications Working Group

IOL Director Karen Brush is the representative for Adventurous Activities on the Communications Working Group. Go to the Working Group page >>

 

The IOL and Brathay hosted Seminar

The Learning Outside the Classroom seminar - 'Sharing best practice and developing a multi-agency approach to improving outcomes for children and young people' - jointly hosted by the Institute for Outdoor Learning and Brathay was held at Earls Court on Monday 11th December 2006. For a report of this event click here.

 

Some background and case studies

For some background to the consultation see: Horizons32_reDfES.pdf

Case studies
The following 'case studies' from around the country, are a summary of case studies submitted to DfES in respect of the ‘Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto’, abbreviated to suit DfES' needs. 
"Crystal Ball" is one with a difference that IOL submitted in its entirety. All the others are more detailed case studies, which were in more depth than DfES wanted.

Case Studies Case Study - Bexley Case Study - Brathay
Case Study - Dudley Case Study - Lanarkshire Case Study - MSc Abstract
Case Study - Self Second Case Study - SEPA Crystal Ball

 

  • For DfES Update click here (13th Feb. 07)
  • An update from Andy Gough, Department of Education and Skills. Click here.

 

The Institute for Outdoor Learning endorsed the Manifesto along with over 100 other organisations, including English Heritage, Field Studies Council, Natural England, RSPB, Outward Bound Trust, Arts Council, Forestry Commission, Natural History Museum, Youth Hostel Association, Farming and Countryside Education, National Trust, Learning through Landscapes, to name just a few.

  • Secretary of State for Education Alan Johnson meeting the press during the launch

lotc_launch

An observer’s view

Ian Lewis of the Campaign for Adventure attended the launch alongside representatives from the Institute for Outdoor Learning and offers his candid observations.

  • The manifesto is the most recent hope for a reversal of the extinction of experience which happens when our young people remain too much within school environments with only limited opportunity to learn, learn to apply and to try out learning in the real world.

    The Manifesto asks for our support and we support it whole-heartedly.  It is a great step.  It offers words of commitment. It outlines where we can do more and how we should be doing more.  There is even £2.7m to help the 8million pupils – (which must be spent on training, because it is a mars-bar each, if passed out to our pupils!)

    Two linked research reports were also helpful.  The first covered what training exists for teachers working outside the classroom and the second looked at the actual practice - how much is going on out there.

    The former, teacher-training, shows wide variation, with some authorities and Teacher-Training providers doing lots and some very little.  The latter report shows a lot 'just outside' - in school grounds, much less actually away from the school, even less residential and much, much less in Key Stages 3 & 4, where a great opportunity for adventure-based learning exists with a huge and immediate social contribution, although it does take a special ability in teachers and youth-workers to form special trust & confidence in these age groups.

    The research also showed it is the deprived that do not gain access to out of school learning - exactly the young people who need our challenges to divert them from crime, substance abuse and anti-social behaviour which cost our society so dearly in cash and quality of life.

    It is striking that many areas of learning, recently including radio workshops, opera, dance and theatre, are taking over where adventure-based pursuits led the way when most outdoor centres were created; at this time they really focused on what society was calling for rather that add-ons to curriculum-based learning and certainly not KS 1 & 2.

    Overall, there is a lot to work through in the manifesto and the linked reports.

Ian Lewis, Campaign for Adventure