Jim Burt
Chair of CLOtC Trustees
Jim has spent more than 35 years working on and leading cross‑sector programmes in the UK and overseas. Sitting at the crossroads of policy, research and on‑the‑ground practice, he’s focused his career on driving strategic change that boosts social value across learning, health and the natural environment.
Jim is passionate about supporting children and young people to develop the skills, knowledge and resilience that will help them to successfully navigate our increasingly fast changing and unpredictable times. So, it is not a coincidence that Jim has worked alongside the Council since it was established. Until recently Jim was the Executive Director of Strategy at the National Academy for Social Prescribing, which he co‑founded as a charity in 2019. He’s now a Strategic Adviser in Social Finance.
Martin Campbell
Executive Principal, Meridian Trust
Executive Principal at Meridian Trust and responsible for the Value: Extending the Boundaries of Learning.
Martin leads an initiative within the Meridian Trust which saw every one of the 31 schools -secondary, special and primary- develop a bespoke and unique ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ curriculum.
Jack Clark
Commercial Director
Rockley Adventure
Jack is the Commercial Director of Rockley Watersports, where he combines strategic leadership with a deep passion for the outdoors. Through his work, he is committed to instilling a love of outdoor activity and learning in people of all ages, from young students to adults. He previously served as Chair of Governors at a school in Dorset and now sits on the board of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, supporting high-quality outdoor education nationwide.
Geraint Denison-Kurg
Finance and Development Director
Schools Into Europe
Geraint is a specialist provider of non-adventurous educational tours, with a particular interest in historical, linguistic and cultural learning objectives. Previously the chairperson of the School Travel Forum, an awarding partner of the CLOtC Quality Badge, of which Schools Into Europe is a holder, Geraint is an ardent believer in the impact of learning outside the classroom on both academic and personal outcomes. As a trustee of the CLOtC, he is eager to ensure that learning outside the classroom can be continue to be delivered at all levels, and in all settings, in an increasingly complex educational and geopolitical landscape.
Justin Dillon FLS FRSB
Prof of Science and Environmental Education, UCL
As a school teacher, Justin witnessed the impacts that learning outside the classroom (including science fieldwork, school travel and outdoor adventure activities) had on students. Being a trustee allows him to make sure that these activities are supported so that they continue to change young people’s lives for the good.
Louise Edwards
Outdoor Learning Service Manager, SOLD
Louise manages Surrey County Council’s Outdoor Learning Service – SOLD. She is also involved with the ‘Association for Heads of Outdoor Education Centres’ (AHOEC), Outdoor Council, and is a Trustee with the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL).
Louise is absolutely passionate about the benefits and value of outdoor learning on children, young people and families.
Kate Lodge
LOtC Advisor, Edsential
More information coming soon…
Rachel Linkletter
Head of School, Salusbury Primary School
More information coming soon…
Felix Pepler
Managing Director, Pepler Creative
Felix works with CLOtC advocating for arts and culture in learning beyond the classroom contexts. As a cultural education strategist and recently Principal to Birmingham Arts School Felix is committed to ensuring young people are supported to access high-quality, relevant and meaningful arts & cultural education experiences.
Simon Ward
CEO, Royal Entomological Society
Simon is the CEO of the Royal Entomological Society. He has huge enthusiasm for outdoor education and would like all young people to have this opportunity. Simon was previously the Head of FSC East Region.
Claire Williams
LOtC Assessor and Consultant
Claire Williams brings over 20 years’ experience in education alongside extensive lived experience in inclusive practice and leadership. A qualified science teacher, Claire has spent more than 13 years working in special educational needs, predominantly supporting learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and challenging behaviour.
Claire began her Learning Outside the Classroom journey in 2022 and led Dan y Coed School to achieve the Gold Mark in 2023. She has held senior leadership roles as both Deputy Head and Head of School, and in 2025 became a trustee and assessor for CLOtC. More recently, Claire has established a consultancy to support providers of learning beyond the classroom experiences to better meet the needs of SEN/ALN pupils. She is passionate about ensuring learning beyond the classroom is accessible, meaningful, and inclusive for all learners.
Advisors
Steve Dool
After 40 years in education following an initial career as a mechanical engineer, Steve embarked on a teaching career in Merseyside where he worked in three schools and as an advisor before becoming Headteacher of Neston High School. During this time Steve enjoyed the collaborative work with local, national and international partnerships that look to improve outcomes for young people. As former Chair of CLOtC, and as a leadership coach on National Professional Qualifications, he feels privileged to have been associated with outstanding school leaders who transform the lives of many young people and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
Peter Carne OBE
Peter was a teacher of Geography, before working in a wide range of learning outside the classroom roles, including his secondment to the DCSF as a LOtC Manifesto Champion, where he worked with key stakeholders to create the LOtC Quality Badge and CLOtC. It is this experience that enables him to support schools, CLOtC officers and other trustees.
Graham Lodge
Graham has recently retired after over 45 years working in Outdoor Education. He has held many high level National Governing body adventure activity qualifications particularly in water activities. He chaired the LOtC Quality Badge committee for over 10 years and has chaired the Outdoor Education Advisers panel which he has been a member of for over 40 years.
