How much time does your class spend learning

outside the classroom in an average week?

1. 0-2 hours

2. 2-4 hours

3. 4-6 hours

4. 6-8 hours

5. More than 8 hours

What do you already do?

The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom

What is Learning Outside the Classroom?

‘The use of places other than the classroom for

teaching & learning.’

Where does LOtC happen?

Why LOtC?

What are the benefits of LOtC?

The benefits of LOtC

www.lotc.org.uk/category/research/

Ofsted

‘When planned and implemented well, learning outside the classroom

contributed significantly to raising standards & improving pupils’

personal, social & emotional development.’

Learning outside the classroom: How far should you go?

Ofsted Report (October 2008)

www.lotc.org.uk/why/ofsteds-view-of-lotc/

Natural Connections

It’s good for teachers too!

Outdoor Learning Hubs

www.lotc.org.uk/lotc-raises-attainment-in-literacy-numeracy-scottish-study-shows/

Learning Away & Brilliant Residentials

www.learningaway.org.uk

Best Key Stage 2 LOtC Provision

LOtC Awards for Excellence & Innovation 2010

Valley Road Primary School

LOtC ideas

Where does LOtC happen?

Fairy tales story structure

Lesson setting: School grounds

Overview of the lesson

Help pupils to understand the structure and ordering of stories by using the

features of your school’s grounds. Children are asked to ‘find’ the missing pages of

a book that a naughty goblin has scattered and then reorder the story.

Equipment

Laminated pictures representing parts of the story, laminated words / sentences,

ball of string, scissors and pegs, storyboard.

Learning objectives

• To develop pupils’ understanding of fiction

• To learn and recite stories

• To identify and describe characters, events and settings in fiction

English KS1

Holding water

Lesson setting: School grounds

Overview of the lesson

Pupils test a range of containers to see which hold the most water and how many

volumes of one are needed to fill another.

Equipment

A good range of containers; a water supply; towels (optional depending on the

weather)

Learning objectives

• To understand that 3D objects have a capacity

• To understand that different objects have different capacities

• To estimate the capacity of a range of containers

Maths KS1

Angles in nature

Lesson setting: School grounds or local area

Overview of the lesson

Exploring the variety of angles that exist in nature.

Equipment

Digital cameras for sharing and taking photos. Protractors may be useful for

extension work or the use of the Carpenter tool app.

Learning objectives

• To reinforce knowledge and understanding about the types of angles that exist:

acute, obtuse, straight, reflex, right angle

• To develop awareness about angles in nature and the variety of possibilities

that exist

• To improve pupils’ abilities to recognise different angles in context

Maths KS2

History all around us

Lesson setting: A local church or historic building

Overview of the lesson

The pupils explore a local church or historic building to see what they can discover

about the history of the area from the signs and symbols in and around the building

Equipment

Any information leaflets the building provides about its architecture or interesting

features; cameras in case they want to take pictures of what they see

Learning objectives

• To find out about the past by examining the sources around us

• To find out about local history

• To relate local history to the wider historical context

• To study the history of a site which is significant in the locality

History KS2

“The skills of information retrieval that are taught should be applied, e.g. in

reading history, geography and science textbooks, and in contexts where

pupils are genuinely motivated to find out information, such as reading

information leaflets before a gallery or museum visit or reading a

theatre programme or review.”

Lesson ideas for English

• Phonics hunt in the school grounds

• Relay races for spelling and suffixes

• Use experiences to give context for reading

• New experiences to inspire writing

• Use LOtC experience as a focus for debate

• Plan what to grow in the school garden

• Investigate an aspect of the school to produce a newspaper article

Lesson ideas for maths

“A high-quality mathematics education provides a foundation for

understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically and a

sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.”

• Use natural objects for counting

• Use positional language to give directions

• Demonstrate fractions by cutting sticks into 1/3, 1/4, etc.

• Use ms/cms to measure the height of sunflowers

• Buy items at the local shop using a selection of different coins

• Use bus and train timetables to plan an LOtC visit

• Estimate the height of a tree or building

Lesson ideas for science

“Most of the learning about science should be done through the use of first-

hand practical experiences.” KS1

“Pupils should use the local environment throughout the year to identify

and study plants and animals in their habitat; and how the habitat changes

throughout the year.” KS2

• A materials treasure hunt in the school grounds

• Act out planets orbiting the sun. Use a sundial to demonstrate the

rotation of the earth

• Set up a comparative test to show that plants need water and light to

grow

• Identify and study habitats in the school grounds and local area

• Observe the resemblance of family members in portraits at a historic

house

Lesson ideas for geography

“A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and

fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for

the rest of their lives.”

• Learn to use the points of a compass through orienteering and treasure

hunt activities in the school grounds

• Draw a grid in the playground and practice 4 figure grid references

• Try geocaching to explore the local area

• Explore the different uses of land locally over time

Lesson ideas for history

• Create a timeline in the school playground to understand the chronology

of history

• Explore the changes in local history and culture during the lifetime of a

particular tree

• Visit a local archive to learn about how artefacts are preserved

• Use a museum visit to think about how we learn about history and the

interpretation of sources

• Invite members of the local community in to talk about their experiences

and memories

• Set up an archaeologist’s trench in a sandpit in the playground

• Take a walk round the local community and look for historical features

Art• Experiment with using natural materials as dyes or drawing

implements

• Create large scale sculptures outside

Music• Create musical instruments out of natural materials

• Create a human xylophone

D.T.• Growing and cooking activities in the school garden

• Visit a design museum

• Build a bridge using a variety of different materials

A few more ideas…

Christ Church CE Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Christ Church CE Primary School

Practicalities

Parental permission

The British weather…

Going outside whatever the weather

• Ask families if their children can keep waterproofs and

warm clothing in school

• Ask families to donate items that their children have

outgrown

• Consider approaching local or national businesses to fund

a stock of e.g. waterproofs or wellies. Offer to advertise

their generosity!

• Don’t forget staff!

Risk management

Risk management guidance

www.oeapng.info

www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-safety-

advice-for-schools

www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/

www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/school-trips.pdf

Risk Benefit Analysis

The first question to ask yourself when beginning a risk

management process is:

“Why do we want to do this?”

Child led risk assessment

Nothing ventured…

www.englishoutdoorcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Nothing-

Ventured.pdf

• Endorsed by the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel

• Good quality educational experience

• Robust health and safety procedures

• Less red tape and paperwork

The LOtC Quality Badge

• Recognises existing exemplary provision

• Supports schools in developing their LOtC offer

to enable all children to access meaningful

LOtC

• Three levels – Gold, Silver, Bronze

• Guidance to help schools to progress through

the levels

• Email awards@lotc.org.uk to express interest

in applying

• Or visit www.lotc.org.uk/lotc-accreditations

LOtC Mark

In summary

• Learning can happen anywhere

• Learning outside the classroom has enormous benefits for

children’s attainment and personal development

• Barriers can be overcome!

For more support visit us at: www.lotc.org.uk