Open Mobile Menu

Learning Outside the Classroom

Educational Visits and learning outside the classroom are an integral part of life at Stanley Grove Primary Academy, furthering the education of the pupils, we consider it vital that we maintain a broad and balanced curriculum. This includes ensuring that pupils have first-hand experiences and have a chance to see and take part in activities outside the classroom. We are part of a vibrant and lively community and we encourage all classes to take part in that community as well as inviting them into our school. Our school grounds provide rich opportunities that can engage all pupils effectively in understanding about sustainability and the environment. Visits outside of school, including residential opportunities, are built into our curriculum and enhance children’s learning.

Educational visits and learning outside of the classroom is a school wide activity and should be encouraged at every opportunity. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, which became statutory in September 2009, places a strong emphasis on the importance and value of out of the classroom learning experiences. It is important to note that whatever the age of the children, experiences should not to be taken in isolation. Children need to be well prepared, supported, resourced and informed for any learning experience to reap maximum benefit. All visits and learning outside of the classroom opportunities should be planned by a member of staff nominated as party leader, with the health, safety and welfare of the children of paramount importance.

UNCRC      

This also links to our Rights Respecting Schools (RRS) ethos:

Article 15: Every child has the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.

Article 28: Every child has a right to an education.

Article 29: Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full.

Article 31: Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Learning outside the classroom – our core offer

We provide the following offer to all our pupils:

Offer 1 We provide all pupils with two residential activities over four years in Keystage 2
Offer 2 All pupils experience at least three vocabulary trips/ visits each year
Offer 3 All topics taught are supported by at least one visit and/ or visitor
Offer 4 All pupils take part in ‘Forest schools’ activities every 2nd year in Keystage 1 & 2
Offer 5 Keystage 1 & 2 pupils take part in one library visit each half term, EYFS at least once a year
Offer 6 All pupils visit at least one community building during the year and will use another community resource e.g. park, museum, library
Offer 7 All pupils will have opportunity to participate in at least one production over the year. This might include assemblies, concerts or another special event
Offer 8 Keystage 1 & 2 pupils take part in at least one extra-curricular activity during the course of the year

Stanley Grove Primary Academy is top of the class for learning outside the classroom

Our school has shown itself to have a strong commitment to providing excellent learning outside the classroom (LOtC) to its pupils by achieving a national LOtC Mark (Bronze).

Awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), LOtC Mark (Bronze) accredits those schools that have a strong awareness of the benefits of providing frequent, continuous and progressive LOtC experiences to all pupils and have begun to integrate LOtC into the life of the school.

LOTC Lead Teacher, Ms Nevins said, “Being awarded LOtC Mark (Bronze) is a real coup for all the staff and governors here as it shows that we are really making strides in providing our pupils with potentially life-changing opportunities. We’re thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts and we look forward to building on this award to integrate LOtC into the everyday life of the school.”

LOtC Mark is awarded by CLOtC, the national voice for learning outside the classroom. CLOtC also provides free online guidance and information for teachers on how to plan and organise high quality LOtC activities. LOtC Mark is intended not only to recognise existing exemplary provision, but also to assist and support schools in developing their LOtC offer to enable all children to have access to meaningful LOtC experiences. LOtC Mark is the only national accreditation for schools which recognises, and supports, the development of learning outside the classroom across all subject areas.

Learning outside the classroom is known to contribute significantly to raising standards & improving pupils’ personal, social & emotional development. It also contributes to the quality and depth of learning.

OFSTED, Learning Outside the Classroom – How far should you go? 2008

Elaine Skates, Chief Executive of CLOtC said:

“Learning outside the classroom provides the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. LOtC Mark (Bronze) demonstrates that the school is committed to developing and delivering genuinely valuable learning outside the classroom experiences for their children and young people.

Learning outside the classroom has many proven educational benefits. LOtC Mark (Bronze) award will support schools in integrating LOtC into the life of the school, thereby ensuring that many more young people have memorable, exciting and valuable learning outside the classroom experiences. I congratulate Stanley Grove Primary Academy on achieving LOtC Mark (Bronze).”

Proud to part of the Bright Futures Education Trust
Stanley Grove Primary Academy
Parry Road, Longsight
Manchester M12 4NL
Ofsted CEOP