The Outward Bound Trust gets top marks for outdoor learning
The Outward Bound Trust centres in Ullswater and Howtown have shown themselves to be at the top of the class for residential educational visits, after they were awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge for adventurous activities.
Established in 1941, The Outward Bound Trust is an educational charity which sets out to unlock the potential in young people through discovery and adventure in the outdoors. Through fundraising activities, the charity is able to help as many young people as possible to have access to safe, adventurous experiences through which they can raise their self-esteem and realise their full potential. Three of the Trust’s four young people centres have now been awarded the badge, with Loch Eil in the Scottish Highlands being the first centre of its kind in the country to be recognised by the scheme.
The Director of Learning and Adventure at The Outward Bound Trust, Will Ripley, said: "Being awarded the Quality Badge is a real coup for all the staff here as it shows that we offer young people the type of high quality learning experiences they really benefit from. We're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts and we look forward to welcoming as many young people as possible on to our courses, irrespective of their financial circumstances."
The Quality Badge was developed as part of the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, a national initiative to ensure young people are given more opportunities to have these experiences as part of the National Curriculum in England, and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland. The scheme is part of the Government’s £4.5m Out and About package which, along with the badges, provides guidance and information for teachers on how to plan and organise high quality activities.
Ed Balls, Secretary of State Children, Schools and Families, said: "Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. Quality Badges offer teachers a guarantee that not only is a venue providing the sort of educational value that they can build on in class long after the visit but they also have the appropriate risk management structures in place."
"The Quality Badge should ensure that many more young people have memorable, exciting and valuable learning outside the classroom experiences."
