Much of our work here at the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is dependent on the generosity of our supporters. Their help ensures we can continue and expand our vital services.
We want to say a huge thank you to The National Education Union (NEU) for their donation to support the LOtC Quality Badge scheme. These funds will be used to continue our work in driving up standards and enabling more children and young people to access life changing learning experiences. With this support we can reach more organisations, big and small, to ensure their education programmes are inspiring, effective and safe.
Why is the LOtC Quality Badge so important?
The LOtC Quality Badge is a quality assurance scheme that is free for schools and others to help them choose 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.
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. It is imperative that we reach individuals and organisations, of all types and sizes, that are working with schools and community groups. This generous donation provides the resources to help us do this.
Who are the National Education Union (NEU)?
The NEU represents teachers, lecturers, support staff, and school leaders, in maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK. They provide support to their members by representing them in the workplace and to government and policy makers, as well as campaigning to shape the future of education and providing advice and guidance.
As the largest education union, they have a powerful voice and have been effective in winning improvements to their members’ working conditions and shaping an education system that works for all.
NEU recognises the importance of the LOtC Quality Badge and encourages its members to look for providers who hold the award when booking educational visits.
“NEU members recognise the huge value of taking children on educational visits, but they can be time-consuming to organise. Being able to arrange visits with venues that hold a LOtC Quality Badge removes some of that burden, leaving teachers confident that the visit they have booked will meet the needs of their pupils and be safe, but also that it will be a rich educational experience.”
Sarah Lyons, Lead Officer Health, Safety & Environment, National Education Union (NEU)
Find out more about the NEU via their website: https://neu.org.uk/
Help us transform young lives
The evidence is clear that LOtC has a wealth of benefits for children and young people. It can:
- improve mental and physical health
- build resilience and confidence
- build trusting relationships
- increase achievement and skills for life and work
- develop pro-environmental behaviours.
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.
You can support us by donating to our crowdfunding campaign: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/learning-beyond-the-classroom
