new 25 year plan from defra. - council for learning ... · this newsletter is sent termly and...
TRANSCRIPT
This newsletter is sent termly and contains ideas, case studies and updates from theCouncil for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) and its LOtC partners.
If you enjoy reading this LOtC newsletter, why not join CLOtC to receive the additional bi-monthly members’ newsletter for more in depth content covering areas such as curriculumupdates, lesson ideas, funding information and LOtC tips? Visitwww.lotc.org.uk/membership for full details of all the membership benefits.
We are grateful to the School Travel Organiser for sponsoring this edition of theCLOtC newsletter.
www.schooltravelorganiser.com
New 25 Year Plan from DEFRA.
The new 25 year plan from DEFRA, ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve theEnvironment’ has just been published, and looks to have far reaching and positive effectson learning outside the classroom (LOtC).
The impact of the report could have a beneficial and far reaching impact on LOtC.Government backing to get more children outside the classroom and to develop greenspaces that are suitable for everyone to use, will help parents and teachers to encouragechildren to become greener, healthier and more engaged.
Read the news item
LOtC raises attainment in literacy & numeracy, Scottish studyshows
An Education Scotland project aiming to raise attainment in literacy and numeracy through“Outdoor Learning Hubs” has published its final report.
In a 12 week programme (two hrs per week) with 80% delivery on school grounds, childrengained on average six months of Mental Arithmetic and two months of General Mathsagainst a similar cohort of children within control schools.
Read the news item
New Primary Forest and Woodland Teaching Resource pack fromthe Forest Education Network now available!
Are you looking for ideas to use trees woods and forests for curriculum linked teaching &learning?
These versatile lesson ideas will help you to deliver KS1 & KS2 curriculum objectives inliteracy, maths, science, history, geography, PHSE, art, music and PE.
The pack includes ideas for those who are new to using woods and forests as a place forlearning, as well as for those with more experience who wish to try something new. It aimsto help teachers plan activities from a few minutes long to a one-day visit to the woods.
Order your copy today
New Inquiry Launched
A new government inquiry from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is toinvestigate ways in which taking part in the arts, cultural activities and sport can have apositive impact on health, community and education.
The Committee is keen to hear from specific case studies of success. Submission for theenquiry have now closed and we look forward to sharing the findings in our next newsletter.
Find out more
New CLOtC CPD and Training programme now launched
Dates for your diary:
Courses for schools & early years providers
Building confidence in LOtC: Meaningful Learning: Teaching the Curriculum Outside the Classroom * Monday 23rd April 2018, King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester * Thursday 11th October 2018, Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne * Thursday 31st January 2019, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Moving on with LOtC: LOtC Policies and Practice: Making the most of the opportunities beyond theclassroom * Monday 23rd April 2018, King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester * Thursday 11th October 2018, Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne * Thursday 31st January 2019, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Higher level LOtC: Developing and Reviewing Active Learning – A Course for Schools * Wednesday 6th March 2019, M Shed, Bristol.
Courses for providers of LOtC
Building confidence in LOtC: Meeting Curriculum Needs * Thursday 10th May 2018, Wharton Park, Durham * Thursday 26th July 2018, Coombe Country Park, Coventry * Wednesday 5th September 2018, Ely Cathedral * Wednesday 24th October 2018, Jewish Museum, London
Building Great Relationships with Schools * Thursday 10th May 2018, Wharton Park, Durham * Thursday 26th July 2018, Coombe Country Park, Coventry * Wednesday 5th September 2018, Ely Cathedral * Wednesday 24th October 2018, Jewish Museum, London
Developing and Reviewing Active Learning for providers of LOtC * Tuesday 5th February 2019, Belton House, Grantham
Find out more about CLOtC training and book your place
CLOtC Annual Conference 2018
Thursday 22nd November 2018, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. Save the date!
More details coming very soon on the CLOtC website.
Education Show - NEC Birmingham
CLOtC's Accreditations Manager, Sally Thompson, will be presenting the seminar 'LearningOutside the Classroom - Why & How?' on Thursday 16th March, 10.00- 10.30am.
Sally has many years’ experience of supporting schools to develop their LOtC provision,both at a strategic level and through practical advice and training. As well as deliveringtraining and consultancy to schools, Sally developed and manages LOtC Mark, CLOtC’s
accreditation for schools which celebrates and supports the development of meaningfulteaching and learning through LOtC.
Find out more about the seminar
Sally will also be available for one to one discussion throughout the show. If you would liketo make an appointment email Sally: [email protected]
Book your free ticket here
The benefits of CLOtC membership
If you believe in the benefits of learning outside the classroom why not show your supportby joining the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom? CLOtC is a registered charitythat campaigns to ensure that EVERY child gets the opportunity to experience the worldbeyond the classroom as an essential part of their education.
As well as supporting our cause, joining as a member will give you access to news,networks and ideas to help you improve your LOtC practice. Members receive:
▪ AmemberemailbulletinwithenhancedmemberonlycontenttokeepyouuptodatewithnewsanddevelopmentsfromCLOtC,giveyougreat
ideasonintegratingLOtCintothecurriculumandenableyoutosharesolutionswithlike-mindedprofessionals
▪ Enhancedaccesstowww.lotc.org.uk.Thiswillenableyoutoaccessmemberonlyresources,researchandCPDmoduleswhenyouregisteronthesiteasamember.
▪ Freemarketing,withtheabilitytouploadyourevents,resources
andnewsitemsontothewebsitewww.lotc.org.uk,accessedby100,000teachers,LOtCpractitionersandprofessionalswithaninterestinLOtCeveryyear.
▪ AfreesubscriptiontotheSchoolTravelOrganiserMagazine
▪ SubstantialmemberdiscountsonLOtCevents,training,publications&resourcesfromCLOtCandothers
Find out more about the benefits of membership.
Join online today
Bespoke Training and Consultation
CLOtC can offer bespoke CPD training for your organisation, at your venue. Take a look atthe list of our existing CPD training to see if any courses are suitable for your organisation,we can tailor the content of any of these courses to suit your needs. We can also developcompletely bespoke training on any aspect of learning outside the classroom, based on thespecific challenges facing your setting.
Find out more
Schools and adventurous activity providers - have your say on theAdventure Activities Licencing review
The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) is being reviewed this month and it isimportant that schools, as well as adventurous activity providers respond by 9th March toensure their views are considered.
CLOtC has drafted this article as a summary to inform schools and providers of thebackground and signpost them to information to enable them to consider how to respond.
Read the full CLOtC article
Case Studies
LOtC Quality Badge Holder – Wharton Park, Durham CountyCouncil
Wharton Park is one of several Durham County Council establishments that hold the LOtCQuality Badge.
Over recent years, the Wharton Park education programme has developed to engage morewith the natural world on both a scientific and creative basis. Louise Porter, Parks andCountryside Education Officer at Wharton Park tells us:
“Applying for the LOtC Quality Badge did mean that we had to go through everything tocheck it was up to standard; because of this I found the framework really helpful as itpinpointed areas that I need to work on in order to enhance the service we provide.”
Read the full case study
LOtC Quality Badge Holder, the National Museum Cardiff
The National Museum, Cardiff is a museum and art gallery in Cardiff. Each of the NationalMuseums in Wales has been awarded a LOtC Quality Badge.
“I would recommend that all learning outside the classroom providers think about applyingfor the LOtC Quality Badge… the questions that you need to answer are an excellentprompt to ensure that what is regarded as good practice is in place.”
Read the full case study
Latest Blog: Can a school trip change children’s attitudes tonature?
written by Lorna Fox, WWT’s National Learning Adviser.
“I hope that some, like me, remember going ‘WOW’ at some piece of art, or an experimentor an animal as it was transformed from weird to wonderful in front of your eyes, becauseseeing it right in front of you, it suddenly made sense. Not everyone gets that experience. Not all schools, let alone teachers, have the resourcesand confidence to take pupils on a trip. And, when faced with a confusing choice of farms, museums, zoos and many otherattractions, how does anyone know what quality of learning to expect?”
Read the full blog
School Travel Awards return for a bumper year
School Travel Organiser magazine has launched its 2018/19 awards initiative, which willculminate in a ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, on Friday 16thNovember.
Championing the individuals and providers who go the extra mile, the awards recognise theschools, teachers and companies behind inspiring school trips.
STO Editor Keeley Rodgers said: “We’re very excited about this year’s School TravelAwards, which are set to be bigger than ever. Last year’s initiative highlighted some trulyinspirational people within the school travel sector and we can’t wait to see what this year’sawards have in store.”
Teachers will again be asked to vote for the best across 15 categories and invited to enterand nominate in the ‘My Best School Trip’ and ‘School Trip Champion’ Awards, both ofwhich come with a £1,500 prize for the winner’s school to spend on a future educationalvisit.
Awards Partners that have already signed up to support the awards include LEGOLANDWindsor Resort, Kidzania London, Scout Adventures, Hard Rock Cafe and Halsbury Ski.
This year’s ST Awards will again culminate in a five-star ceremony and lunch at the RoyalGarden Hotel in London. TV broadcaster and newsreader Fiona Bruce, who described therange of “truly inspiring trips and remarkable teachers” last year, will return to host theevent.
Details of voting, entries and nominations will be included in future editions of themagazine, and details will be available at www.schooltravelorganiser.com/awards.
Companies interested in becoming an official Awards Partner should contact Ivana Perkinsfor more information on 01908 613323 or e-mail [email protected].
Photo: ‘My Best School Trip’ Award winners from Bexleyheath school collecting the awardfrom Fiona Bruce and Ian Wood from the previous year’s winning school, Kirk Ella Primary.
Do residential experiences make an impact on attainment in Year6?
With the expertise of researchers from the University of Cumbria and the support of theBrathay Trust, Learning Away are embarking on a small scale comparative study with theaim of investigating to what extent residential experiences impact on progress andattainment in final year (Year 6) primary school pupils.
Read the full story
Make a difference: Join the Cultural Learning Alliance StrategyGroup
CLA is a champion of every child’s right to access meaningful arts and culture in theirlives. They are looking for committed, passionate, expert volunteers to join their StrategyGroup and lead the Alliance in its next phase.
More information
New GEM Casestudy publication now available
‘Museums and Schools Working Together’, has recently been launched. It explores a newprogramme of partnership with schools.
Each partnership includes regional museums, a cluster of upward of 100 schools, anational museum and a local Bridge organisation. The programme encourages pupils out ofthe classroom and into museums to take part in activities that are linked to the nationalcurriculum and support classroom learning.
Find out more
Nature Connections Survey
The UK based Nature Connections Research Network are undertaking a survey to helpunderstand how people from different disciplines or roles understand the term ‘natureconnection’. They would really value your contribution to this.
If you have any queries please contact: [email protected]
Access the survey
Paul Hamlyn Foundation new teacher development fund launched
The Foundation expect to give grants of up to £150,000 to approximately five projectsannually which will run for two academic years. They are looking to support strongpartnerships of arts/cultural organisations and up to ten schools; either an arts/culturalorganisation or a school can be the lead applicant.
Find out more
Learning Beyond the Classroom Conference, Friday 20 April 2018
Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD) have announced another exciting‘Learning Beyond the Classroom’ conference for 2018 entitled; ‘Inspiring ExcellenceOutdoors’.
This lively, practical and inspiring day will feature a mix of keynote speakers including TVpresenter Kate Humble, Juliet Robertson, author of Messy Maths and Dirty Teaching, andKim Somerville, coordinator of the Brilliant Residentials campaign for the Learning AwayConsortium. Attendees will also get the opportunity to attend three practical workshops.
Find out more
Field Studies Council welcome applications to Kids fund
The FSC Kids Fund aims to help disadvantaged young people to attend a course who mayotherwise be excluded due to some form of disadvantage; health, mobility, deprivation orfinancial.
UK Groups and schools working with disadvantaged young people aged 4-18 years (or upto 25 years for those with special needs) can apply. The deadline for the first two rounds ofapplications is 1st March and 1st June.
Find out more
Learning Away Consortium seek new voluntary members
Could you help the Learning Away Consortium achieve its vision to improve outcomes forchildren and young people, by ensuring every child has access to and benefits from highquality residential learning experiences?
Do you have knowledge, experience and access to networks in relation to residentiallearning experiences in one of the following settings: arts and culture; farming; heritage;school grounds; science and discovery; or school travel?
Read on to find out more
YHA announces sharpened charitable focus
Leading youth charity YHA (England and Wales) has launched a brand new supportprogramme targeted at young people and children who live in the most deprived areas ofthe UK.
YHA’s Challenging Places support programme provides up to two nights’ freeaccommodation and food at a Youth Hostel for specialist youth groups located in areas ofhigh deprivation and severe poverty.
The new programme is part of a package of support from YHA for young people whichfocuses on their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Find out more
Pupil premium can be used to cover costs of going on aresidential visit
Far too many pupils are missing out on the powerful learning and life changing experiencesof a school residential.
In response to the findings in a recent study, a Department for Education spokespersonsaid:
“Schools are best placed to understand and respond to the specific needs of their pupils.This is why we have given them flexibility over how they use the pupil premium funding…This can include covering some or all of the costs of going on a residential trip, if theschool believes that this will help improve a pupil’s academic outcomes”
Read the full article here from Learning Away
Cultural Learning Alliance Policy and Practice round-up
This round up brings you news of the Royal Society of the encouragement of Arts (RSA)‘Learning about Culture’ launch, 'Caring about Cultural Freedom' from A New Direction, 'LifeLessons' from the Sutton Trust, the Museums Review, consultation on the Culture Strategyfor Scotland, the Artsmark partnership programme, evidence that the Arts & Cultureindustry has grown by 10% in a year and resources to help advocate for Cultural Learning.
Find out more
LEAF Open Farm School Days
A nationwide initiative to get children out onto farms and learning about where their foodcomes from will take place throughout June 2018. Farms will be opening their gates andhosting educational visits for children to learn about how their food is grown, where itcomes from and to meet the farmers who grow it.
Find out more
GEM online research
If you are involved in the heritage sector, help GEM by completing a short survey whichforms part of an independent review of their CPD provision. Some questions will help GEMgather evidence about the impact you have as a museum or heritage educator.
To complete the survey, visit: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GEMCPDsurvey2018
Find out more about CLOtC training and book your place
Other Events
For lots of other events, please visit www.lotc.org.uk/category/events/
12 reasons to take learning outside
A new blog from The Woodland Trust makes the case for LOtC.
Learning that is fun, active and creative is many times more likely to engage a child andembed the lesson aims. As the well - known saying goes: 'Tell me and I forget, teach meand I may remember, involve me and I learn.'
Read the full blog
Terrific Scientific For Primary Schools
Terrific Scientific is a campaign from the BBC for primary schools which allows you andyour pupils to take part in real scientific studies. There are an abundance of free teachingresources, as well as informative and entertaining films. All of the investigations are easyto do and require little to no equipment, and can be done in or out of the classroom.
Find out more
NFU KS1 Science Resources now available
The first 3 free Science Farm resource packs are now available from NFU Educationonline. Each pack contains a video, lesson plan and interactive, engaging resourcesintrinsically linked to the KS1 science curriculum.
Find out more
RHS School Gardeners of the Year 2018
Entries are now open for the most inspirational young gardeners, educators and gardeningteams in the UK. Prizes for finalists and winners in 2018 include greenhouses andcoldframes, £500 in vouchers, garden tools and a unique opportunity to work with RHS andTV gardeners.
Find out more
Wood Wise; Nature Inspires Education
Downloadable quarterly publication from the Woodland Trust.
In this publication, articles look at various innovative educational approaches using outdoorlearning. These approaches all aim to increase young people’s connection to nature andenvironmental knowledge, while simultaneously building interpersonal and practical skills.
Download the publication
Get involved with GetOutside
GetOutside is a new initiative founded by Ordnance Survey which collects information inone place and is an easy reference point to engage, educate and inspire. It shows that theoutdoors is for everyone; offering tips on where to go and what to do, offering walkingguides and beginners guides for just about everything outdoors.
Watch out for blogs and Twitter posts from the 35 regionally based #GetOutsideChampions who aim to enthuse the nation with their stories and actively promote thebenefits of a healthy outdoor lifestyle, such as (LOtC) Advocate Award winner 2017, BritishExploring Media Leader Belinda Dixon.
If you would like to get involved with GetOutside, email [email protected] to find outmore or visit the website: www.GetOutside.co.uk.
Go Jauntly; New walking app
Go Jauntly uses photographs rather than maps to guide users on routes around woods andpaths. Could this be a great way to help families and communities access urban greenspaces?
Read the full article in the Guardian
Incorporating Nature in Play
Over recent years, the time children spend outdoors has been massively reduced. Studieshave consistently highlighted the benefits of time in nature for childhood development. Anew infographic blog explores the benefits of outdoor play, looks at the facts and how youcan help your child spend more time with nature.
Read the blog
Free trees for schools and communities from the Woodland Trust
A full variety of trees available.
Find out more and apply
Mailing List
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to join the mailing list you cansign up to receive the newsletter here or email [email protected] For more regular updates from CLOtC, follow us on Twitter
©2018 The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom | Shropshire | SY4 1HW
Tweet
Web Version Subscribe Forward Unsubscribe