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WHY LOTC DESERVES TO TOP YOUR TO - DO L I ST . . . THE RESEARCH IS IN Two new reports from CLOtC and Natural England confirm LOtC in natural environments can deliver multiple positive health and learning benefits for students and staff. Specific outcomes include improved attendance rates, attainment and physical activity, as well as positive outcomes for mental health, including emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, and resilience. THE SOFT OUTCOMES ARE SIGNIFICANT Schools that have already embedded LOtC into their routine teaching practice demonstrate it can have a positive social return on investment (SROI) as well. The forecast SROI for schools with embedded LOtC in natural environments as a whole-school approach is £4.32 for every pound that is invested, and this is likely to be an underestimate. ALL LOTC IS GOOD The reports suggest LOtC has a positive impact whether it happens on school grounds, locally or further afield on an off-site visit. The reports find even the natural environments in or around homes and educational settings are associated with positive learning, behavioural, emotional, and health outcomes. You can read a full summary of the evidence reports on the CLOtC website. Matilda Miles is communications and marketing manager at the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. and museums that do too. You can search for badge-holders by area or by type, quickly and easily on the LOtC Quality Badge website. At the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), we believe any place can be a learning space, and we work to support schools and organisations dedicated to ensuring more children and young people have opportunities for life-changing learning experiences beyond the classroom. Through our Learning Beyond programmes for schools – the LOtC mark and mentoring – we offer training and resources on using your school grounds and learning in your local area. With the many positive benefits of LOtC now well-evidenced and tailored support from CLOtC for schools at all stages of developing their LOtC provision, there’s more reason than ever to take your teaching beyond the classroom walls and bring learning experiences to life. lotc.org.uk opportunities? What are the natural spaces, businesses, attractions and community groups you could connect with? What areas of the curriculum could they support? Planning ahead and considering potential risks are key to a successful outing and including the students in this process can benefit everyone, especially children with SEND; by talking them through any plans beforehand, they will feel more prepared and engaged. “Prior to 2020, our school had 500 students taking part in residential courses,” says Jon Clarke, the shadow headteacher at Walsall Academy in the West Midlands. “Because of the Covid-19 pandemic we went from that down to zero in a day! We soon realised that the local area also had so much to offer and vital core learning could still be achieved. So, we pushed the reset button and came out stronger because of it.” Look for the badge If you think your students would benefit by visiting a particular venue or organisation, plan ahead and look for the LOtC Quality Badge. This is the only national accreditation that recognises LOtC providers offering high-quality learning experiences as well as effective risk management, and is endorsed by the Department for Education. By visiting an organisation or venue that holds the LOtC Quality Badge, you can also reduce your paperwork, as you don’t need to carry out your own risk or quality assessments regarding the activities provided. It makes sign-off for your visit quicker and simpler, and with a variety of badge holders across the country you may be surprised at the range of providers who offer low-cost or free activities in your local area. Organisations such as Canal & River Trust, Ernest Cook Trust and the Youth hostel Association provide different levels of free support to schools, particularly to those in deprived areas. All of the Science Museum Group sites hold the LOtC Quality Badge, and there are many local galleries L OT C www.teachwire.net/school-trips | 65