External 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.
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Learning Outside the Classroom Awards Innovation and Excellence 2009 - An invitation to nominate
The LOtC Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2009 has been launched. The Awards recognise the commitment of educational establishments (such as schools, early years settings and youth organisations) providing valuable and positive learning experiences for young people (0-19yrs) beyond the classroom. This year we are seeking nominations from establishments who are creating novel, innovative and inspirational approaches to learning outside the classroom whether it is in the school grounds, on visits to museums, art galleries or farms, through adventure activities or on cultural exchanges abroad.
Chief Executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, Beth Gardner, explained: “Learning outside the classroom experiences are proven to raise educational attainment and play an important part in improving young people’s social, emotional and personal development. We believe that every young person should have access to regular, continuous and progressive LOtC experiences. These Awards are one way of recognising excellence in LOtC provision”.
Download nomination form here
Download guidance notes here
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Topics covered were:
Newsletter contributions and info.
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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
An e-newsletter funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families on behalf of the Manifesto Partnership.
- A new issue of the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto e-newsletter is now online. The aim is to share news and events among Manifesto partners as well as letting people know about relevant DCSF activity
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
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