Learning Outside the Classroom Victoria Wilcher

1. Learning Outside the Classroom Victoria Wilcher

2. We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances. The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom

3. www.lotc.org.uk

4. Aims of the session • Learn about the benefits of LOtC • Look at Ofsted’s guidance on LOtC • Think about how to embed LOtC into your curriculum

5. The benefits of LOtC

6. Benefits of LOtC

7. Every Experience Matters http://www.face-online.org.uk/face-news/every-experience-matters

8. Every Experience Matters Provides evidence that children engaged in LOtC: • achieve higher scores in class tests • have greater levels of physical fitness and motor skill development • have increased confidence and self-esteem • show leadership qualities • are socially competent • are more environmentally responsible

9. Engage, Learn, Achieve www.lotc.org.uk/2011/04/engage-learn-achieve-the-impact-of-museum-visits-on-the-attainment-of-secondary-pupils-in-the-east-of-england/

10. Engage, Learn, Achieve • 9 schools across the East of England visiting • 5 museums and one archive • The marks for the museum-based assessment were compared with up to three previous pieces of work • Pupils and teachers completed questionnaires about  learning experiences The evidence from the study suggests that museums can have a positive impact on pupil attainment. It found that museums: • support the needs of pupils with different learning styles • in particular the ‘less able’ responded very well to museum based learning, but pupils of all abilities improved their marks. • Gender differences were not apparent; museum learning appears to support boys and girls in equal measure and go some way to eliminate the learning style differences between the genders that are apparent in classrooms • Museums motivate pupils to do well and provide an immersive learning experience that is both enjoyable and enables learning to take place. • The relationship between the school and the museum was important and the role of experienced learning or education staff in the museum was a critical factor in ensuring the success of the visit.

11. Learning in the Natural Environment http://www.lotc.org.uk/2012/11/learning-in-the-natural-environment-review-of-social-and-economic-benefits-and-barriers/

12. Learning in the Natural Environment • Students perform better in reading, mathematics, science and social studies and show greater motivation for studying science. • Develops broad range of skills ranging from the technical to the social, particularly when integrated with the everyday school curriculum. • Environmental-based education makes other school subjects rich and relevant and gets apathetic students excited about learning. • Exposure to the natural environment can lower the effects of mental health issues that can make it difficult for students to pay attention in the classroom. • Hands-on contact with nature is not only essential for protecting the environment but appears to be a means of cultivating community and enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of children and adults alike. • Structured activities, such as those commonly occurring in sustainability education, are powerful catalysts for creating a stronger sense of community - both within and beyond school boundaries. • Teachers benefit from LINE, becoming more enthusiastic about teaching and bringing innovative teaching strategies to the classroom

13. Ofsted and LOtC

14. LOtC: How far should you go? http://www.lotc.org.uk/2011/04/lotc-how-far-should-you-go/ ‘When planned and implemented well, learning outside the classroom contributed significantly to raising standards & improving pupils’ personal, social & emotional development.’ Learning outside the classroom: How far should you go? Ofsted Report (October 2008) Written by Robin Hammerton, HMI (see details of his presentation at our 2011 conference: http://www.lotc.org.uk/2011/11/striving-for-excellence-in-lotc-a-successful-conference/

15. The Ofsted framework Ofsted framework looks at: LOtC: • The achievement of pupils at school • The quality of teaching • The quality of leadership and management • The behaviour and safety of pupils at school • Supports the achievement of pupils • Helps improve the quality of teaching • Integrated LOtC demonstrates strong leadership and management • Improves behaviour and motivates disengaged pupils

16. St John’s Catholic Primary http://www.lotc.org.uk/2012/12/ofsted-good-practice-resource-raising-standards-by-learning-outside-st-johns-catholic-primary/ About six years ago we started trying to make children more aware of environmental issues. We’d visit the woodlands and the locality and realised how wonderful all the learning could be. Learning outside the classroom grew and grew, and now it happens naturally in all subjects across the curriculum. Pupils have a much richer understanding of the real world, the size and scale of places, transport, what’s available to them for nothing, and they are excited and enthused by it all. They learn so much by being out. For instance, it enriches their vocabulary and standards of writing have risen. Vera Jajechnyk, Deputy Headteacher

17. Neston High School ‘For me the reason for encouraging learning outside the classroom as a key philosophy is that it enables students to apply their learning in different and real contexts and to broaden their horizons and aspirations for their future lives. I am absolutely convinced that the ethos and culture in the school are vastly enhanced by the high level of participation. These activities are systematically and collegiately organised, evaluated and analysed, and are the heart and soul of our school.’ Steve Dool, Headteacher http://www.lotc.org.uk/2012/11/ofsted-good-practice-resource-learning-outside-the-classroom-neston-high-school/

18. Rushey Mead School – measuring impact • 26 Y9 boys were taken to Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre. • Used canoeing and aerial trekking to inspire descriptive writing. • The boys completed 2 challenges and 2 classroom-based sessions and then returned to school for two further creative writing sessions. • 78% of the finished drafts met the boys’ working level, with 36% exceeding their working level at their first attempt. • 23 out of the 26 boys (88%) thought that the trip helped them to improve their writing, and self esteem also increased.

19. Embedding LOtC

20. LOtC: How far should you go? ‘Learning outside the classroom was most successful when it was an integral element of long-term curriculum planning and closely linked to classroom activities.’ Learning outside the classroom: How far should you go? Ofsted Report (October 2008)

21. National College for School Leadership report http://www.lotc.org.uk/2012/04/leadership-for-embedding-outdoor-learning-within-the-primary-curriculum/

22. Key suggestions • Use local community as source of skills and funding • Engage parents through LOtC • Embed LOtC in development plan so everyone can see it • Use skills and knowledge of Foundation Stage staff • Use research to provide integrity and justify calculated risk-taking • Inform children how it will affect their learning • Make sure staff experience using the outdoors firsthand • Make it fun!

23. Valley Road Primary School http://www.lotc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Valley-Road.pdf

24. The Charter of Entitlement Each academic year all children in Valley Road School are entitled to: • A minimum of one visit to the theatre or cinema • A visitor who enhances their safety e.g. fire services • A visitor who enhances their health e.g. Dental care nurse • A visit to the Wildfowl Park • The opportunity to take part in a drama / music production or workshop • Belong to the school choir • At least one educational visit relevant to each topic covered • Make relevant crafts for festivals and holidays • Opportunity to attend a weekend residential at Derwent Hill • Take part in fundraising activities • Access to a variety of after school clubs • Attendance at the daily breakfast club in school

27. The LOtC Quality Badge • Endorsed by majority of Outdoor Education Advisers in England • Good quality educational experience • Robust health and safety procedures • Less red tape and paperwork!

28. Membership of CLOtC • http://www.lotc.org.uk/membership/ • Free LOtC Resource Pack – lesson ideas for literacy or maths & science • Free Members’ Guide to LOtC • Access to more information and resources on the members’-only section of website • Bi-monthly newsletter with lesson ideas, case studies, LOtC tips • Membership starts at £30 for individuals, £60 for schools and £75 for small organisations

29. Further information Email: enquiries@lotc.org.uk Websites: www.lotc.org.uk www.lotcqualitybadge.org.uk