Here is a list of other useful organisations that may provide support further information for those planning and delivering LOtC activities.
1. National Level
2. Local Level and Networks
3. Inclusion
4. Health & Safety
5. Evaluation
6. Youth
7. Award Schemes
8. Subject or Sector Based
9. SEN & Disability
1.National Level:
Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto
The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto (2006) sets out a vision to enable every young person to experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of their learning and personal development. Download the LOtC Manifesto
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Information, advice and consular services for travelling worldwide. www.fco.gov.uk
The Association of British Travel Agents
Useful for checking a travel agent’s membership to ensure bookings are covered for complaints, disputes and financial loss if the travel company fails. www.abta.com
Employer Guidance
This guidance provides the key reference for sound planning for learning and recreational activities that involve taking groups of children and young people away from their usual operational base. It should be implemented when an establishment or setting uses places such as:
- the establishment’s own grounds
- the local environment
- places further afield e.g. visits to local libraries, museums and theatres etc.
- residential venues
- learning ventures abroad
2. Local Level and Networks:
Local authorities
Many local authorities run museums, galleries, parks, farms, open spaces and historic sites, in addition to residential outdoor education centres, and local authority websites are a good starting point for information. The website address of most local authorities is www.localauthority.gov.uk e.g. www.derby.gov.uk
Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel
Information and contact details of Education Visits/Outdoor Education Advisers in local authorities. Provides information about training courses including those for Education Visit Coordinator, Visit Leader training and Outdoor Learning Cards. www.oeap.info
3. Inclusion
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Information and advice about disability discrimination in schools and guidance for education providers. www.equalityhumanrights.com
The Disability Foundation
www.tdf.org.uk
A registered charity that offers support to disabled people, their families and carers, including information about travel and adventurous activities.
The Children’s Society
www.childrenssociety.org.uk
The Disability Toolkit has been developed by the Children’s Society It holds a database of resources and links focused on providing you with the advice you need to encourage and empower disabled young people in decision-making and participation. www.disabilitytoolkit.org.uk
4. Health and Safety
The Health and Safety Executive
www.hse.gov.uk
Specific information on risk assessment and lessons learned from previous incidents.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995
www.hse.gov.uk/riddor
The Health and Safety Executive site for reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
www.rospa.com
Provides information on various safety issues such as driver training.
5. Evaluation
Quality in Study Support (QISS)
http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/education
Recognition scheme, based on self-evaluation and peer review, for study support, now part of the core offer of extended services. Accredited by Canterbury Christchurch University.
Inspiring Learning for All
www.inspiringlearningforall.gov.uk
Online framework, self-evaluation tool and guidance that describes what an accessible and inclusive museum, archive or library which stimulates and supports learning looks like. Although primarily for museums, archives and libraries, this will be of interest to teachers and leaders in assessing the quality of a visit.
Woolf, Felicity (2004) Partnerships for Learning: a guide to evaluating arts education projects, Arts Council England
Available for download at www.artscouncil.org.uk/publications. Provides a five-stage approach to evaluation of artist-led projects.
6. Youth Sector
National Youth Agency
www.nya.org.uk
The National Youth Agency supports those involved in young people’s personal and social development and works to enable all young people to fulfil their potential within a just society. The website lists many publications and resources and links to www.youthinformation.com.
The Prince’s Trust
www.princes-trust.org.uk/
Offers help for young people from 14 to 30 years old relating to qualifications and careers. Also promotes outdoor education through opportunities to participate in a Prince’s Trust Challenge Event.
Volunteering
www.vinspired.com
National volunteering site for young people aged 16 to 25.
7. Award Schemes
Sport Leaders UK
www.bst.org.uk/home/default.aspx
National organisation administering various sports leadership awards including Level 1 and 2 Community Sports Leadership awards and the Basic Expedition Leader award.
Arts Award
www.artsaward.org.uk
Accredited bronze, silver and gold (levels 1—3) arts leadership awards for young people aged 11—25, run by Trinity Guildhall in partnership with Arts Council England.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
www.theaward.org
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Information on the award scheme for participants, leaders and parents.
8. Subject or sector based
Subject Associations
www.subjectassociation.org.uk
Details of most subject associations and links to their websites.
UK Literacy Association
www.ukla.org
UKLA is a registered charity, which has as its sole object the advancement of education in literacy. UKLA is committed to promoting good practice nationally and internationally in literacy and language teaching and research.
Watch This Space
www.engage.org/projects/watchthisspace.aspx
A programme for galleries, teachers and gallery educators, to enable them to gain first-hand experience of one another’s work and build sustainable educational relationships. The site contains case studies, a downloadable version of the Watch This Space toolkit and further resources.
Youth Sport Trust
www.youthsporttrust.org
A charity set up to support the participation of children and young people in sport and physical activity. It works closely with schools, through the network of Specialist Sports Colleges.
Sport England
www.sportengland.org
advises, invests in and promotes community sport to create an active nation. The ‘Get Active’ section of the website includes a directory of clubs for all sports, organised by region.
British Heart Foundation
www.bhf.org.uk
Guidance on the benefits of physical activity for young people, with useful resource packs and links.
The Royal Society
www.royalsociety.org
The national academy of science in the UK and Commonwealth. The website has pages for teachers and details of the Partnerships Grants scheme, which can fund learning outside the classroom links between schools and local scientists and engineers.
English National Youth Arts Network (ENYAN)
www.enyan.co.uk
ENYAN aims to raise the profile and support for youth arts within England, providing more opportunities for the creative and personal development of young people, especially young people at risk. The website is a source of national information about youth arts, with many links and resources.
English Outdoor Council
www.englishoutdoorcouncil.org/
Umbrella body for those involved in outdoor education, training and recreation. Website includes articles and literature surveys of research on the benefits of outdoor education and links to member bodies.
Open Space
www.openspace.eca.ac.uk
The Open Space research centre focuses on inclusive access to outdoor environments. Work covers all types of landscape, in urban or countryside contexts, the benefits it can offer and the barriers to access. The website includes research, publications and literature reviews on access issues.
9. SEN & Disability
BILD British Institute for Learning Difficulties
www.bild.org.uk
The British Institute for Learning Disabilities (BILD) is a national charity committed to improving the quality of life for people with learning disabilities.
Down Syndrome Association
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Provides general information about Down’s Syndrome, and information about outdoor challenges and residential trips for children with the syndrome.
Federation of City Farms
www.farmgarden.org.uk
Federation of City Farms is a registered charity which supports, represents and promotes community-managed farms, gardens, allotments and other green spaces, creating opportunities for local communities to grow.
Mencap
www.mencap.org.uk
Mencap is the voice of learning disability. Everything we do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers. The charity work with people with a learning disability to change laws and services, challenge prejudice and directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.
National Autistic Society
www.nas.org.uk
The National Autistic Society provides support to individuals with autism and their families, and information about services that they can access. The website also includes information about Asperger’s Syndrome.
Panathlon Foundation
www.panathlon.com
The charity that organise the Panathlon Challenge, part of their work involves delivering opportunities for young disabled people across the country. Panathlon is able to offer free training courses, specialist equipment supply, coaching funds and multi-sport competitions, in various cities around the country.
Parasport
www.parasport.org.uk
Parasport is a joint initiative between the British Paralympic Association (BPA) and the professional services firm Deloitte. The project aims to improve how talented sports people are identified at community level, with the aim of increasing participation levels in competitive sporting events.
Resources for Autism
www.resourcesforautism.org.uk
The website provides support and advice about autism.
Riding for the Disabled Association
www.rda.org.uk
This registered charity provides people with disabilities opportunities for horse riding and carriage driving.
RNID(Formerly known as the Royal National Institute for the Deaf)
www.rnid.org.uk
RNID offer a range of services for deaf and hard of hearing people and provide information and support on all aspects of deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus. RNID’s work involves campaigning and lobbying, providing services, training, products and equipment, and undertaking medi
Sense
www.sense.org.uk
Sense is the leading national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind. We provide expert advice and information as well as specialist services to deafblind people, their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. In addition, we support people who have sensory impairments with additional disabilities.
SCOPE
www.scope.org.uk
Scope is a disability organisation in England and Wales whose focus is people with cerebral palsy. Our aim is that disabled people achieve equality: a society in which they are as valued and have the same human civil rights as everyone else.