Many settings already offer their students some opportunities to go beyond the classroom but this is often incidental, happening because you have always done so. It is important to ensure all your LOtC is meaningful and has impact so working through a process to involve your whole school/setting is key to success.
Auditing your LOtC
To truly embed your LOtC you need to consider what you currently offer within your setting then determine what you need to do to move forwards.
- Use this LOtC simple audit tool to consider where you are now.
- Ensure your staff understand the breadth of LOtC then conduct a staff survey to determine what they currently offer and any barriers they might have.
- Write a vision statement to agree what you want to achieve.
- Write an action plan with realistic targets for development.
Communicating your LOtC intent
It is important to get everyone on board from the start as this will build staff and student confidence and may open new LOtC opportunities.
- Involve everyone in determining your vision and ensure all your community are aware of it
- Include LOtC in your policies and staff inductions/training
- Use your prospectus, website and social media to ensure your community know what you are trying to achieve. This can lead to support – LOtC opportunities, financial, man-power.
Planning and resourcing your LOtC
It is essential that your LOtC is considered at the start of your planning ensuring your staff do not see it as an add-on.
- Build LOtC into long-term planning and if child-led ensure they understand that they can go beyond the classroom for their learning.
- Ensure breadth and progression by involving subject leaders in monitoring what LOtC is taking place within their subjects area and across all year groups.
- Commit finances to resource your LOtC – either for equipment, transport and why possible making off-visits free for all. This can be achieved through fundraising and seeking sponsorship.
Ensuring robust risk management in LOtC
It is essential to reduce the bureaucracy of risk management, ensuring your students and staff understand the benefits of taking managed risks and by putting systems in place to make LOtC easy to run.
- Work with your local outdoor education advisor to develop good practice. Find yours by clicking here – England and Wales and Scotland
- Provide appropriate training for your staff to ensure they are confident and feel empowered to lead effective and safe LOtC
- Write standard operating procedures for your regularly used spaces and activities especially to help you use your local learning area more
- Look for providers that hold the LOtC Quality Badge
- Refer to the Outdoor Education Advisor Panel’s National Guidance for support in England and Wales or Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education for Scotland.
Evaluating, monitoring and reviewing LOtC
Like all teaching and learning it is essential to evaluate the impact it is having on your students and review your future planning accordingly.
Use your everyday evaluation methods to include LOtC –
- lesson observations, learning walks and work scrutiny
- data analysis
- pupil, staff and parent voice
- Staff noticeboards/class information on website
- Staff/governor meeting minute
Need more support?
Take a look at our Learning Beyond support pathways to help you develop your LOtC.
Members can download our Learning Beyond – Starting your LOtC Journey guide, and further guides and support materials are available to schools/settings on the LOtC Mark Direct and Mentoring pathways.
