We believe that every child, no matter their background, should be able to access learning and life experiences that…
- improve mental and physical health
- build resilience and confidence
- build trusting relationships
- increase achievement and skills for life and work
- develop pro-environmental behaviours.
The evidence is clear that learning beyond or outside the classroom (LOtC) has a wealth of benefits for children and young people.
Learning isn’t just about sitting at a desk – it’s about engaging with the world, connecting with others, and finding your passion. LOtC includes experiences near and far, inside and out, within and beyond the school day – from visiting local parks and farms to adventurous residentials; from day visits to theatres and museums to taking part in international study and sports tours; from bringing visitors back into school to taking virtual tours around cutting-edge industries.
These experiences can spark a lifetime of curiosity that shapes the person we become. Learning beyond the classroom opens a world of possibilities.
Here at the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, we work with schools and other organisations to ensure that everyone can access these opportunities and, crucially, that the experience is safe and meets their needs. But we can’t do it without your help.
Your donation will help us to…
- Provide free support to schools who need it most – offering CPD and training programmes and resources for staff to support them in developing their LOtC and therefore, providing more children and young people with life changing experiences.
- Continue to operate the LOtC Quality Badge – a free quality assurance scheme that helps schools and others find organisations that have been independently assessed for the quality of their educational programmes and risk management. This is a vital service that helps ensure the safety of our children and young people.
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What we do
We support both schools and organisations through our valued services such as the LOtC Quality Badge scheme and CPD programmes.
For example, the LOtC Quality Badge is a trusted assurance scheme that has been running for over 15 years and is endorsed by English and Welsh governments. It is stated in Department for Education and teaching unions’ guidance on educational visits.
The LOtC Quality Badge assesses whether an organisation has policies and procedures that meet current requirements and legislation to give teachers and parents/carers peace of mind. An out-of-date safeguarding policy or electrical testing, poor communication of emergency procedures – all of these could have serious consequences.
We work with names that you’d recognise, such as Buckingham Palace, Science Museum, Go Ape and YHA, as well as a wealth of local museums, faith centres and visiting theatre groups, to name just a few. Big or small, it is imperative that we reach all individuals and organisations that are working with schools. We are a charity and don’t receive any core funding, yet it is vital that the LOtC Quality Badge scheme can continue to operate and expand.
The difference it makes
We have worked with thousands of schools, early years settings, colleges, community groups, and organisations offering LOtC to improve outcomes for children and young people. But there are so many more that want our help.
Help us transform lives by building resilience, confidence, and hope in our young people so that they will be better equipped to look after themselves, each other, and the planet.
Recognising your support
To recognise all our supporters, large and small, there is the option to be listed on our supporter page.
Donations of £3,000 or over can receive social media shout outs and their logo on our website.
