Lathallan School has become the first all-through school in Scotland to be awarded the Gold Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Mark. A testament to its consistent focus on providing students with an education that extends far beyond the confines of a traditional classroom setting.
Learning outside the classroom is not just a programme at Lathallan, it’s in the school’s DNA
Founded in 1930, spanning almost 95 years of history, Lathallan continues to develop and progress with the concept of learning outside the classroom core to its educational philosophy. Whenever a teacher is planning a lesson, they’ll ask ‘where is the best place for this learning to take place?” – be it on site, in the great outdoors, visiting a local business or heritage site. The small school setting allows teaching staff to be creative and flexible in their approach, getting to know each student individually and presenting learning opportunities that meet their needs. In a world that’s moving at an ever-increasing pace, the school provides a holistic learning experience equipping pupils with the skillset and mindset to get the most out of and prepare for the complexities of 21st century life.
The great outdoors provides an unbeatable learning canvas
Lathallan provides a wide range of outdoor learning opportunities. With 62 acres of grounds from the woodland to the sea, in which children play sports every day, as well as enjoying fantastic childhood adventures and making memories that last a lifetime. From geography field trips exploring the rich landscapes of Angus and Aberdeenshire to science lessons that delve into the region’s unique ecosystems, Lathallan ensures that every subject comes to life outside the confines of the classroom. Students don’t just read about history; they visit historical sites, bringing the past to life and creating lasting memories.
National Trust for Scotland NTSX Pilot Project
An example of the innovative LOtC taking place at Lathallan is their new partnership with the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) that has launched the ‘NTSX’ pilot project. The objective of NTSX is to ignite interest, stewardship, and a lasting understanding of Scotland’s natural, cultural and built heritage among secondary school-aged pupils.
This pilot project holds immense transformative potential, with the ability to reshape the landscape of NTS engagement for years to come. The initial phase of the project is two-fold. Firstly, it aims to demonstrate the practical criteria that secondary schools would need to fulfil to achieve the status of a National Trust for Scotland School – NTSX.
Secondly, the project aims to run flexible programs at two of the three age group levels, carefully evaluating their effectiveness. By assessing the impact, Lathallan School and the National Trust for Scotland can refine and enhance NTSX, ensuring its long-term success. NTSX is a visionary undertaking that is set to empower the next generation of students to become stewards of Scotland’s natural wonders, cultural treasures, and architectural marvels.
Talking about NTSX, Headmaster at Lathallan School Richard Toley said:
“We’re delighted to be working with NTS on this incredibly important pilot project. In the first term of this academic year our S4 pupils have been experiencing NTSX and in February they’ll be presenting a reflection on what they have experienced as learning volunteers to NTS representatives.
When we first started talking to NTS about this opportunity, we were focused on how we get young people enthused about NTS and as a result we have tried to embed ownership, collaboration, fun, meaning and memories in the programme we’re piloting.
For this pilot, our pupils have been visiting our local NTS property, The House of Dun, every week. These learning outside-the-classroom experiences have included sales, retail, events, ecology and conservation. Pupils have been keeping reflective journals about their experiences as the unfamiliar becomes familiar and they build their skills, contacts and understanding.”
Talking about her experience of NTSX, Alexia (S4) said:
“I thought the restoration work was interesting and how the House of Dun often gives and receives artefacts from other properties. We met a member of the NTS restoration team who looks after the collection of the house. We spent some time shadowing her to better understand the work. I learnt about how the sun, dampness, draught and bugs can affect the collection and how she measured and monitored the different components in each room.”
Tigerlily (S4) added:
“The tours help to spread the history of Scotland’s historical estates to the public through storytelling, to keep people engaged and interested. I saw how doing this could benefit me, as a lot of jobs will look to people who have communication skills with the public. If I applied for a historical job it could show that I have good knowledge retention, much the same as an acting job. It got me thinking about how beneficial it is to learn about local history and to interact with other people whilst doing something you are passionate about.”
