We work with many organisations across a range of sectors to promote and champion the benefits of all learning outside the classroom.
You can seek advice from these organisations and in some sectors we have active LOtC Sector Partnership Groups that meet regularly.
These groups were set up to enable greater coordination and communication across the sectors and with the research community in order to achieve one clear and collective voice for learning outside the classroom. The aims of the groups are to:
- identify and understand the key challenges for increasing the uptake of LOtC drawing on the appropriate evidence and insight
- work collaboratively to develop and implement a programme aimed at tackling the key challenges and advocating the benefits of LOtC to government, key influencers and schools
Natural Environment
This sector covers any activities happening in a natural environment e.g. in a park, woodland, nature reserve, and includes bushcraft and Forest Schools.
This sector working group meets regularly and is chaired by Suzanne Welch from RSPB. To find out about the next meeting please email the secretary of the group.
You can also seek advice from Institute for Outdoor Learning, Forest Schools Association, Forest Education Network.
Farming and Countryside
This sector covers any activities happening on working farms, horticultural premises and working forestry sites.
You can seek advice from LEAF UK for farming, Countryside Classroom, Forest Education Network.
School Grounds
For providers of non-adventurous activities taking place in school grounds this group meet to discuss good practice, hear about latest initiatives, funding and other support for providers and the settings they work with.
Contact Mary Jackson from Learning through Landscapes who chairs this group.
STEM
For centres offering science and discovery experiences support is available from UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres.
Museums and Heritage
The Group for Education in Museums (GEM) and strives to support and empower colleagues working in museums, culture and heritage settings. Visit their website for the latest news and support in this sector.
Advice can also be sought from English Heritage, Historic England, Cadw and Scottish Heritage.
Art, Culture and Creativity
Although some cross-over with the Museum sector above,
Support can be sort from Arts Council England, Arts Council Wales and Creative Scotland; CILIP: the UK’s library and information association.
Sacred Spaces and Faith
Many sacred spaces hold the LOtC Quality Badge to reassure schools that their provision is quality. To find out more about how to ensure you offer a quality visit, share good practice with other faith groups in your area. You can also ask for advice from Interfaith Group.
Adventurous Activities
There are many organisations that can offer advice to providers of Adventurous Activities. Advice can be sort from:
Institute of Outdoor Learning, British Activity Providers Association, The Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, Wales Council for Outdoor Learning, The Outdoor Partnership.
Leisure and Recreation
This sector supports sites like Trampoline Parks, Aqua Parks and Sports Facilities. You can find support through British Activity Providers Association (BAPA) who assess the LOtC Quality Badge for this sector. Further support can be found from Active Indoor Leisure Association, Aqua Parks Association and Sport England, Sport Wales, Sport Scotland.
Study, Sports and Cultural Tours
You can read the latest news and find support for overseas tour providers via the School Travel Forum.
Overseas Expeditions
If you are a provider of expeditions overseas then advice can be sought from the Expedition Providers Association.
