Policy into practice Learning outside the classroom

The Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge is a new initiative from the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Its national advisory and manifesto partners recognise those organisations that deliver high-quality educational experiences while managing risk effectively. This enables teachers to easily identify and plan out-of-school learning opportunities for students.

With the launch of this new initiative and the hard work of many local organisations, more creative teaching techniques should become integral to young people's learning.

CASE STUDY 1

Wakefield's Able project uses Learning Outside the Classroom to engage young people at risk of exclusion and encourage them to enjoy learning and stay in education. Excluded from education, young participants often experience difficulties in reading and writing. The Able project offers informal learning away from the peer-pressured environment associated with the classroom.

The regeneration project has transformed a 34-acre landfill site into a sustainable development project, enabling young people to take part in land management, horticulture, bee keeping, fish farming, joinery and construction work and building a BMX track. Giving 14- to 16-year-olds the chance to develop their practical and soft skills, young people are given the opportunity to integrate into the community, helping them to take up employment as a result of their newly found skills.

CASE STUDY 2

At Margaret McMillan House, part of the Widehorizons Outdoor Education Trust, inner-city children are given the opportunity to learn in the outdoors. Testing their skills in literacy, numeracy and communication skills, young people work through elements of the National Curriculum through hands-on activities and trips to promote exciting forms of learning.

With individual and group activities, ranging from orienteering to abseiling, the field centre is dedicated to working with the holistic learning of the child and applies the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning approach to boost young people's self-esteem.

Margaret McMillan House also supports the individual needs of schools with tailored programmes in geography, citizenship, the arts, religious education and science.

Anne Longfield is chief executive of 4Children