What is the LOtC Quality Badge?
The LOtC Quality Badge is the only national award assessing both the quality of risk management and educational provision across all types of learning outside the classroom providers including in-school theatre groups and sports coaching, museums and castles, botanical gardens and city farms, theme parks and zoos, field study and adventure centres, and expeditions and study cultural tours abroad. It is recognised by the Department for Education and Welsh Government, and therefore by schools and community groups as an indication of quality. To find out more about the LOtC Quality Badge and ask your questions, join us at a free online session.
Why apply
The LOtC Quality Badge provides you with a framework to ensure you are meeting the needs of the schools and community group you work with.
The Department for Education’s guidance on Health & Safety on Educational Visits, NEU, NASUWT and other teaching unions recommend that schools look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing external providers.
The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel endorse the LOtC Quality Badge and most Local Authority Outdoor Education Advisers accept it in place of some or all of their checks, so reduces schools’ and your own paperwork. Senedd Cymru endorse the advice provided by OEAP Cymru which includes using LOtC Quality Badge holders.
CLOtC offers opportunities for LOtC Quality Badge holders to promote themselves for free via our website and social media.
How to apply
Council for Learning Outside the Classroom oversee the certification of the LOtC Quality Badge but due to the wide-range of LOtC opportunities the Badge covers it is assessed by different organisations with expertise in their fields, known as Awarding Bodies. You can also be assessed via your membership of BAPA and AHOEC or as a top-up to your AALA licence.
Each LOtC Quality Badge holder needs to meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate that they meet the same Quality Indicators but the procedure for assessment and the cost is set by each Awarding Body, overseen by CLOtC.
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Select the options below for more information, to identify which Awarding Body your organisation will be assessed by, how to apply and the cost.
Resource award
This award is currently not on offer but is something we plan to develop and re-instate.
In development by CLOtC.
Site only
For providers who offer a site for day visits or residentials and do not run any activities themselves.
Assessed by CLOtC.
Every day risk
For activities/venues that offer every day experiences to day visitors and/or offering residential facilities.
Assessed by CLOtC.
Nature, countryside & farming
For providers offering activities in a natural environment where there is a need for technical risk management.
Assessed by CLOtC.
Leisure & recreation
For providers offering high quality leisure facilities and, experiences including motorsport.
Assessed by BAPA.
Alternative provision, sports coaching & others
For providers who take full responsibility for young people without teachers or carers present, sports coaching, or those who do not fall into one of the other categories.
Assessor depends on the activities.
Adventurous activities
For providers offering activities that require technical risk management and staff with technical competence.
Assessed by AAA contracted AAIAC.
Study, sport & cultural tours abroad
For providers offering international packages including accommodation, transport, sports, activities and excursions.
Assessed by STF.
Overseas expeditions
For providers who lead groups overseas to remote areas requiring complex risk management.
Assessed by EPA.
If you do not feel you fit into one of these categories or are unsure, please email our LOtC Quality Badge team.
