A foreword to Teach Out from the Outdoor Education Advisers in the South West local authorities:

OUTDOOR LEARNING!

Exploring the natural and man made world is an essential part of any child’s life – and that’s official according to the recently published Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom which states:

‘We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances’

The Manifesto encourages us to embed outdoor learning into the life of the school as an everyday experience and to develop and extend these opportunities with both day and residential visits. Doing this would make a significant contribution to raising achievement in national curriculum subjects and in the five outcomes of Every Child Matters.

Not that you need much convincing of the value of school trips. It is estimated that nationally around 7 million pupil visits take place every year – that’s a lot of children out and about on a regular basis and like us you will have noticed the buzz of excitement at the end of a day out. The tired but happy faces of the children who will have had a great time and, without realising it, learnt a great deal.

Think back to your own school life and what things are most memorable? Science lessons? Geography? Useful and valuable yes, but not as memorable as that residential trip when you fell in the mud and slept in the haunted dormitory! Outdoor learning gives additional meaning to work within school and helps motivate young people.

As the Manifesto states:

‘These, often the most memorable learning experiences, help us make sense of the world around us by making links between feelings and learning. They stay with us into adulthood and affect our behaviour, lifestyle and work.’

Of course school visits must be organised within a framework of safety that provides support and guidance without unnecessary bureaucracy. However if we are not careful this can stifle opportunity and take away the benefits for children that far outweigh the risks of an accident occurring. Life is not free from risk and it is wrong to try to eliminate it entirely. Wrapping children in cotton wool is likely to cause far greater problems than a sensible and measured approach to risk ever would and it is right that you take children on trips.

Your school should have an educational visits coordinator to help you in your planning, to ensure you are accessing relevant guidance and following all necessary procedures.

We, all representatives of our Local Authorities on the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel (OEAP), a group that has worked closely with the DfES on the production of the Manifesto, fully support its content and its call for more children to be educated outside. We also welcome this ‘Teach Out’ guide and website that will make it easier for you to choose a suitable venue.

If you have any questions our details are found below.

Please work with us to make the vision of the Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom a reality in the South West.

Outdoor Education Advisers – Contact details:

Borough of Poole –
Debbie Priest 01202 633768

Bournemouth Borough Council -
Patricia Zimmerman 01202 425173

Cornwall County Council –
Andy Barclay 01872 324302

Devon County Council & Torbay Borough Council –
Bryan Smith 01392 385238

Dorset County Council –
Rob Brindley 01305 224517

Plymouth City Council –
Martin Northcott 01752 406434

Somerset County Council -
Antony Reed 01278 741940

 

Useful national sites:
www.teachernet.gov.uk/visits
www.oeap.info