Airing out the curriculum

With a strong emphasis on spelling and grammar, timetables and long division, the new National Curriculum has been heralded as a return to high standards and rigour as we strive to catch up with the world’s best performing nations in terms of educational performance.

However, there is no doubt that the quality of teaching in schools, more than the content of the curriculum itself, is going the make the most difference to our young people.

Incorporating regular learning outside the classroom into the curriculum can be highly effective in improving the quality of teaching by making learning engaging and enjoyable for all learners; which in turn can have a significant impact on progress and attainment.

Fortunately, the national curriculum programmes of study provide us with numerous opportunities for learning in our school grounds, local community and further afield during educational visits and residentials. The only limitation where Learning Outside the Classroom, (LOtC) is concerned is our own imaginations.

THE CURRICULUM AND BEYOND
At the core of the curriculum in England is the statement that every state-funded school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based and which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

The contribution of learning outside the classroom in the above areas is widely acknowledged. Taking learning outside the classroom enables pupils to apply what they have learnt inside the classroom in a real world context and equips them with skills (communication skills, team working, problem solving and risk management to name just a few) they will need for real life and employment. The benefits in terms of physical and mental health, expanding the horizons of young people and changing their environmental behaviours and attitudes are also well evidenced.

It should also be noted that the draft framework document states that the National Curriculum is just one element in the education of every child, adding that: “There is time and space in the school day and in each week, term and year to range beyond the National Curriculum specifications. The National Curriculum provides an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons.”

Whilst planning for the roll out of the new national curriculum is time consuming, there is no doubt that it gives teachers the opportunity to get creative, trying out new ideas, themes and locations for learning.

LOTC IN THE NEW CURRICULUM
Whilst LOtC is not specifically mentioned by name, there are many opportunities for LOtC throughout the National Curriculum programmes of study, across all subject areas. For example in science, there is a strong emphasis on working scientifically and first hand practical experiences. The non‑statutory guidance notes are peppered with references “to using the local environment throughout the year” to help pupils study the environment all around them.

In English, there are numerous references to drama and role play enhancing reading and writing skills. LOtC can add value in a number of ways, from providing inspiration for writing to helping pupils develop a love of literature through performance or exploring settings of stories.

In maths, LOtC can support the application of maths in real world contexts, engage pupils with different learning styles and increase enjoyment of the subject through use of new or novel learning environments.

In P.E., there is now a requirement to take part in outdoor and adventurous activities curriculum at KS2 & KS3. In geography, fieldwork is explicitly mentioned in the overall curriculum aims and in the content for every key stage from KS1 to KS4.

In history, the inclusion of local history studies present opportunities for LOtC, and in addition the new chronological approach creates the possibility of new partnerships between schools and LOtC providers as schools look to the expertise of heritage partners to support curriculum delivery.

When looking at curriculum planning it can be invaluable to spend some time with colleagues auditing your school grounds and local community to identify mathematical, historical, geographical and creative features which can be utilised for low cost learning outside the classroom. It is also a good idea to consider LOtC providers and venues within easy reach of the school to identify educational visits which could add value to your curriculum delivery.

CROSS CURRICULA, NOT EXTRA CURRICULA
All the evidence suggests that learning outside the classroom is most effective when it is well planned and integrated into the curriculum, rather than being seen as a standalone or one off ‘trip’. Learning outside the classroom should be seen as an extension to classroom teaching, and linked to classroom activities both before and after the visit.

More and more schools are taking a thematic approach to curriculum planning and incorporating a ‘wow’ event every term to enthuse and consolidate learning across all areas of the curriculum. For example a chocolate theme and visit to a chocolate factory can create opportunities for learning about states of matter in science, packaging design in art and design & technology, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in English, with relevant maths problem solving and writing activities built in.

Embedding frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside the classroom into the curriculum is a powerful tool in making learning real and memorable for pupils of all abilities and backgrounds. The new LOtC Mark is the first national accreditation for schools which recognises and supports the development of learning outside the classroom across all subject areas. The accreditation gives schools a framework to help them improve and embed their LOtC provision.

“We have always understood the value of outdoor learning and the benefits that well planned and delivered lessons and activities give to our children, and the framework of the LOtC Mark allowed us to rationalise our ambitions even further,” said Robin Davies, headmaster of Barfield School, LOtC Mark Silver holders.

SUPPORTING SCHOOLS
The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is the national charity set up to support schools and other organisations in getting children out and about as an essential part of their education. CLOtC can support you in integrating more learning outside the classroom into the curriculum including free online guidance, LOtC resource packs, LOtC Mark and CPD.

The CLOtC national conference 2014 –Why Inside? Teaching the new curriculum outside the classroom will focus on inspiring and engaging opportunities for learning outside the classroom (LOtC) in the new national curriculum at the University of Derby Enterprise Centre on 4th December 2014. Visit the website for more information.

FURTHER INFORMATION
www.lotc.org.uk