Don't miss your chance to attend the CLOtC National Conference 2026 for free!
Schools across Surrey and the South East are being encouraged to secure one of the remaining free places at the CLOtC National Conference 2026, taking place on Thursday 12th November 2026 at RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The conference brings together teachers, school leaders, educational providers, researchers, policymakers and sector partners for a day of inspiration, collaboration and professional learning focused on learning outside the classroom (LOtC).
This year’s theme,“Engage, Connect, Enrich”, celebrates the transformative impact that high-quality learning beyond the classroom can have on children and young people’s education, wellbeing and future opportunities.
Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from a range of inspiring speakers, including education leaders from Oriel High School, policy advisers from the Department for Education, and Professor Annegret Dahlmann-Noor of University College London, who will deliver a keynote on the lifelong impact of time outdoors on children’s eye health.
The conference also features interactive workshops, networking opportunities and an exhibition zone showcasing organisations and resources that support learning outside the classroom.
Hosted at the renowned RHS Garden Wisley, delegates will have access to a unique learning environment, including workshops delivered across both indoor and outdoor spaces within the gardens.
The programme also includes opportunities to network with colleagues from across the education sector, visit exhibitors, take part in guided tours and discover innovative approaches to enriching learning experiences for children and young people.
Find out more about the Conference
Download the CLOtC National Conference Guide for more detailed information about the conference including:
- The agenda
- Speakers
- Workshops
- Exhibitors
- Travel and accommodation information
- The venue
Free Tickets for Schools
Thanks to support from the conference sponsors, free places are available for teachers and school staff local to the venue, helping more schools access high-quality professional development and connect with the growing movement to ensure every child can benefit from meaningful learning beyond the classroom.
Schools interested in attending are encouraged to act quickly, as the remaining free places are expected to be allocated rapidly.
Date: Thursday 12th November 2026
Time: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Venue: RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
To claim a free ticket (one per school), contact Emily Carlill, Project and Event Officer at the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, at emily.carlill@lotc.org.uk, stating your school name and address.
Free places are available to schools in Surrey and the South East and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Thank you to our sponsors
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, and we want to say a huge thank you to each of them. Experience Education, Go Ape, PGL Beyond, the Active Learning Group and the Canal & River Trust have all backed this year’s conference, helping us keep costs down and even allowing some teachers and school staff to attend for free. We’re also incredibly grateful to Allenby Coach Hire for kindly supporting our free coach transfer between Woking railway station and RHS Wisley. Their support underpins everything we do, and we couldn’t deliver a conference of this scale without them.
