(Feb.09)
The Quality Badge is a brand new scheme, combining for the first time learning and safety into one easily recognisable badge for all organisations providing learning outside experiences.
The Blencathra Field Studies Council Centre near Keswick is one of the first organisations in the country to be awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge. Blencathra Head of Centre Tim Foster said “I am immensely proud of Blencathra being awarded the Quality Badge. It is a real stamp of approval that the activities we offer young people are recognised as being of high quality. We have always worked closely with local schools and youth groups to provide quality learning in a safe environment. We know that children really benefit from these important experiences and it’s great to have all our hard work recognised in this way.”
Ed Balls, Secretary of State Children, Schools and Families, said:
“Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. Quality Badges offer teachers a guarantee that not only is a venue providing the sort of educational value that they can build on in class long after the visit but they also have the appropriate risk management structures in place.
“It is a significant victory in our battle to move away from the misguided perception that learning outside the classroom is a potential minefield for teachers. I want to see teachers using Quality Badges as practical decision making tool. It should ensure that many more young people have memorable, exciting and valuable learning outside the classroom experiences. I congratulate the Blencathra Centre on being awarded the badge"
See the IOL Quality Badge web page here