Council for Learning Outside the Classroom releases guide to help teachers

The guide, released by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) covers; what to consider, where to get support and activity ideas for pupils. 

Government guidance recommends using outdoor spaces as part of plans to welcome more pupils back to school, which is why the new resource aims to suggest ways in which teachers can continue to offer outdoor education, taking into consideration the risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Details included in the guide also cover clothing pupils should wear, hygiene, different equipment to be used and planning considerations for the next school year when it comes to outdoor learning.

According to the CLOtC, learning outside the classroom should play a central role to phased return and school recovery plans, by:

• Creating more learning spaces.
• Helping with infection control.
• Supporting physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
• Offering active learning and chances to engage with learning in new ways.

Planning ahead…

With nearly all pupils expected to return to school from September, the CLOtC says it is hopeful that learning outside will become a more prominent and regular feature of the curriculum.

The charity is hoping that schools will see next term and beyond as an opportunity to adapt and refine their curriculum intent and implementation as more and more pupils begin to learn outside again.

The guide suggests that teachers can use the LOtC Mark framework as a tool to help with this, an accreditation awarded by the council to schools which go the extra mile in taking education outside. Building links with other schools with the LOtC Mark can also help.

When it comes to actual trips to different attractions, the National Guidance, which is updated regularly should always be taken into consideration according to the resource.