The report, which had a wide national evidence base, makes very clear that learning outside the classroom, in all its forms, significantly raises standards and achievement.
Learning Outside the Classroom enhances young people’s motivation and levels of interest, providing real, exciting and enjoyable contexts in which they can respond, behave and learn well. The report has little truck with schools which allow concerns over health and safety, cost or workload to be barriers to learning outside the classroom. It explains how many schools overcome these. The report points out some differences in the ways primary and secondary schools organise learning outside the classroom. Primaries generally use their local area and the school grounds well but secondaries often promote better learning on day and residential visits. The report challenges the DCSF and local authorities to give clearer messages to schools about the value of learning outside the classroom and to support schools better in promoting higher quality activities outside the classroom. It asks all schools to ensure that well planned learning outside the classroom, which promotes the progressive development of skills over time, is integral to their curriculum.
To access the full report click here.