CLOtC recently met with representatives from the Department of Education at LOtC Quality Badge holder WWT Slimbridge to discuss the role of educational visits in supporting learning, The meeting helped us raise the profile of learning outside the classroom (LOtC) and the LOtC Quality Badge with yet more teams within the Department. In addition, we have received a letter from the Minister for School Standards:
“I welcome all the work that the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom does supporting schools on quality assurance for safe and effective activities delivered by outside organisations.
We want all children and young people to have access to a variety of enriching experiences, as an important part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity. Amongst other things, educational visits are part of this picture, as they can bring a range of potential benefits to young people. As well as the potential to support educational outcomes, well planned visits can also help children and young people to gain new skills, strengthen their sense of school belonging, and promote good wellbeing, supporting them to thrive.”
Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister for School Standards
When planning educational visits and inviting external providers into schools, ensuring quality and safety is paramount. As recommended in the Department for Education’s guidance on ‘Health & Safety on Educational Visits’, the LOtC Quality Badge provides schools with a trusted benchmark, helping teachers and visit organisers make informed choices.
Here, we explain how the LOtC Quality Badge helps make it easier for schools, and give some tips to ensure exceptional learning beyond the classroom.
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 planetariums, museums 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 of Education and Welsh Government, and therefore by schools and community groups as an indication of quality.
Why it’s important for schools to look for the LOtC Quality Badge and ask for it too.
1. High-Quality Learning
2. Safeguarding and Risk Management
Badge holders have undergone a thorough assessment to show they have robust risk management and safeguarding practices in place. By choosing a LOtC Quality Badge holder, schools can be reassured they have everything in place for a safe and effective visit. For most schools and their employers this can significantly reduce paperwork and time.
3. Saving Time and Simplifying Planning
Organising school trips can be time-consuming, especially when it comes to researching providers and conducting risk assessments. The LOtC Quality Badge streamlines this process by acting as a trusted benchmark of quality and safety standards. Its logo allows schools to quickly identify who is a Badged provider, including on platforms such as EVOLVE and eVisit.
4. Supporting Student Health, Wellbeing, and Engagement
The LOtC Quality Badge helps schools choose providers who prioritise creating memorable, inclusive, and enjoyable experiences, ensuring that every student benefits from opportunities to thrive and achieve.
5. At the heart of most educational visit approval systems in England and Wales
The LOtC Quality Badge is endorsed by English and Welsh governments, and the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel/OEAP Cymru recommends that all schools look for it when booking a provider of LOtC. As a result, most Outdoor Education/Educational Visit Advisers encourage schools to look for it.
“Choosing a provider with the LOtC Quality Badge makes the planning process easier and less onerous for the staff involved. They can plan their visits knowing that they are accessing a quality venue for the children to visit. It can also cut down on the paperwork our staff have to provide.
During our recent visit leader training, delivered by the Education Visits Advisor for our area, they emphasised the importance of choosing a provider who has the LOtC Quality Badge.”
Sue Dutton, Sherbrook Primary School
“As a teacher you are bombarded with emails regarding visits and experiences for your students so sifting out which ones to consider is made easier when you know that the provider has gone through a rigorous process to gain their LOtC Quality Badge. It shows that the organisation has thought about the visit and planned it carefully for the student, and also to support the teacher in the planning and management of their visit.”
Jon Clarke, Walsall Academy
3 Tips for Integrating the LOtC Quality Badge into School Planning
1. Ask for the LOtC Quality Badge
When planning educational visits or inviting external providers into schools, ask providers whether they hold the Badge or look for it on their marketing. If your usual providers don’t have the Badge, asking them will encourage them to apply and help them demonstrate their commitment to excellence.
2. Use Online Directories to help you
The CLOtC website, Evolve and eVisit offer a directory of LOtC Quality Badge holders, making it easy to find Badge holders across a wide range of LOtC. This helps you to explore options quickly and identify providers who can meet your needs.
3. Involve Parents and Governors
Tell parents and governors about the LOtC Quality Badge scheme. It will help reassure them about the quality of the educational visits you are planning and build trust and support for your off-site activities.
4. Download our handy poster and put it up in the staff room.
This poster raises awareness of the Badge amongst all your staff, not just your Educational Visit Coordinator.
Other Tips for High-Quality Educational Visits
The LOtC Quality Badge is an excellent starting point. There are other steps schools can take to ensure the success of educational visits, and the good news is that Badge holders include support for these as part of their offer:
1. Align Your Visits to Curriculum/Personal Development Goals
Work with your provider to agree your learning objectives and tailor the activities to optimise the impact on your students.
2. Plan Well
Effective planning is key to a successful trip. Ensure that logistical details, such as transport, supervision ratios, and emergency procedures are in place. Involve staff and students in the planning to help identify potential challenges and ensure a smooth experience.
3. Prioritise Inclusivity
Educational visits should be accessible to all students. Work with your providers to ensure everyone’s needs and abilities will be met, perhaps by offering alternative activities or providing additional support for students with specific needs.
4. Take a Pre-Visit
Take a pre-visit to the chosen site or have a virtual tour. Badge providers with welcome this as it helps familiarise you with the location, meet the provider team, and highlight any concerns in advance. Pre-visits are particularly valuable for identifying potential risks and ensuring accessibility.
5. Evaluate and Reflect
After the visit, gather feedback from students and staff/helpers and on how it went. Reflect on what worked well and what could be improved, using these insights to inform future planning and ensure improvement.
Championing the Value of Learning Outside the Classroom
Schools have the right to demand excellence. By asking for the LOtC Quality Badge and planning high-quality visits, schools will help extend learning beyond the classroom.
Help raise awareness of the LOtC Quality Badge among your staff by downloading, distributing and displaying this poster in your school.
For more support to start or develop your LOtC, and to embed it into your educational setting, become a member of CLOtC and get instant access to online CPD and resources. Find out more and sign up at www.lotc.org.uk/membership.
This blog post was written by:
Dr Anne Hunt, CEO of CLOtC
Find out more about Anne and the rest of the CLOtC team at the CLOtC Staff page.
