The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto champions and promotes the benefits of learning outside the formal school classroom.
The LOtC Manifesto was launched by the DfES (now DCSF) in October 2006 after a long period of lobbying (not least by the Real World Learning Initiative (see Field Studies Council and consultation. Even though a manifesto document was produced (downloadable from Teachernet ) the manifesto is essentially a movement rather than a document alone. There are currently eight sector working partnerships, and a National Advisory Group which is to be superseded shortly by an independent Council. The Council will not only continue to champion and lobby, but will also commission research and be the awarding body for a Quality Badge scheme for providers of Learning Outside the Classroom.
The DCSF worked in partnership with the Learning Outside the Classroom National Advisory Group to bring together existing safety and quality badges into one easily recognisable Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge for provider organizations. It is hoped that this badge will be instantly recognized and trusted by local authorities and schools.
The LOtC quality badge was devised to achieve two of the Manifesto’s high level aims:
The LOtC Quality Badge was launched in October 2008, with the first badges awarded from 1st February 2009. The Quality Badge will help teachers, local authorities and families find locations which provide high quality learning experiences outside the classroom in an environment that is safely managed.
Aim 3: We will offer learning experiences of agreed high quality;
Aim 5: We will better enable schools, local authorities and other key organizations to manage visits safely and efficiently.
The Quality Badge will be awarded to providers such as zoos and aquariums who have pledged to engage in an ongoing process to sustain high-quality learning outside the classroom and who have demonstrated that they meet six quality indicators. They demonstrate that the provider:
has a process in place to assist users to plan the learning experience effectively;
provides accurate information about its offer;
provides activities, experience or resources which meet learner needs;
reviews the experience and acts on feedback;
meets the needs of the users;
has safety management processes in place to manage risk effectively
To find out more about the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge and to register your interest, please access the following link:
The Quality Badge should provide huge benefits for schools and other educational establishments. Using ‘badged’ providers will help schools, teachers and other leaders to effectively plan more learning outside the classroom experiences that meet their needs and those of their young people.
In 2009 there will be opportunities for providers including zoos to attend “Quality Badge Training Days” These will assist zoos and aquariums in completing necessary paperwork and how to fulfil all the indicators. BIAZA will also be running regional LOtC Quality Badge training day during 2009. For more information on these training days check the BIAZA website.
