Welcome!
We believe that young people should have access to frequent, continuous and progressive experiences in the school grounds, educational visits further afield, and residentials, and that these experiences should be utilised as a tool for teaching, learning and delivering the curriculum.
This blog aims to support teaching and learning outside of the classroom.If you are interested in writing for us, please email Emily Carlill at emily.carlill@lotc.org.uk.
Posts
- Adventurous Activities (7)
- Art (1)
- Case Studies (18)
- Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (11)
- Environmental & Cultural Engagement (22)
- Expeditions (4)
- Farming and Countryside (6)
- Health & Wellbeing (14)
- Heritage (2)
- Heritage and Culture (2)
- Home Learning (2)
- Learning Outside the Classroom (29)
- Literacy (1)
- Maths (1)
- Modern Foreign Languages (1)
- Natural Connections (26)
- Natural Environment (48)
- Newsletters – Natural Connections Demonstration Project (5)
- Other Blogs (2)
- Physical Exercise (3)
- Residentials (10)
- School Grounds (13)
- Science (1)
- SEN (1)
- Social Mobility (6)
- Study, Sports & Cultural Tours (6)
- Uncategorized (5)
Category Archives: Natural Environment
Learning about the environment, in the environment
Blog post written by Dr Helen Bilton, Professor of Outdoor Play and Learning, University of Reading Helen Bilton explains the thinking behind a a free online course developed by the University of Reading that aims to empower children to look … Continue reading
Improving Wellbeing by Learning Outside the Classroom
Blog post written by Andy Pratt, Head of Group (West) and Wellbeing Lead at Field Studies Council (FSC). There is increasing research supporting that time in the outdoors and nature connection improves health and wellbeing. At FSC we are all … Continue reading
Posted in Health & Wellbeing, Natural Environment, Residentials
Tagged City of Sanctuary, Department for Education, Field Studies Council, Fordhall Farm, Green Futures, Green Guardians, Groundwork UK, Growing Confidence, National Lottery Community Fund, Nature Friendly Schools, New Economics Foundation, Our Bright Future, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, Sense, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, The Sensory Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Vision England, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, YoungMinds
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Using learning outside the classroom to develop character
Blog post written by: Daniel Cibich, Head of Educational Partnerships at The Outward Bound Trust. Following the launch of the DfE Character Education Framework Guidance in early November, I attended a Westminster Education Forum policy conference to hear from a … Continue reading
Moved by Nature in Finland – Fun, meaningful, and health-enhancing physical activities for school children
Blog post written by: Elina Hasanen, researcher living next to a forest in Jyväskylä, Finland Outdoor activity in nature promotes well-being and growth among children and young people in many ways. Worryingly, the activity has seen a decline in recent … Continue reading
How to deliver food growing programmes in schools…and make them sustainable.
Blog post written by: Mike Edmondstone, Schools Communications Officer for the Edible Playgrounds programme from charity Trees for Cities. At the risk of hubris, I think it’s safe to say most readers of this blog are already well versed in … Continue reading
Could gardening help the mental health of school children?
Blog post written by: Mike Edmondstone, Schools Communications Officer for the Edible Playgrounds programme from charity Trees for Cities. Philip Hammond’s budget announcement in late October about a £2bn real-term increase in mental health funding will surely be welcomed by … Continue reading
Wonder Curiosity and Core Experiences
“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement” Rachel Carson Blog post written by: Kevin Long, Education Partnerships Executive and Author of An Outdoor Educator’s Guide to Awe. The presence of nature can mystify … Continue reading
The Lost Words aiming to reconnect children with the natural world
Blog post written by: Mike Edmondstone, Schools Communications Officer for the Edible Playgrounds programme from charity Trees for Cities. It’s nothing new to hear that children are becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world. We are living in an age … Continue reading
Disadvantaged children are missing out on life-changing residential experiences
Kim Somerville – on behalf of the campaigning group ‘Learning Away’ – looks at the worrying results from a new study examining ‘The state of school residentials in England: 2017’. ‘The state of school residentials in England: 2017’ study, assesses … Continue reading
Born Outdoors – Outdoor Citizens
Anita Kerwin-Nye, founder of Every Child Should, has written a blog for CLOtC. My love for the outdoors and the role it has played in my personal well being is well documented. Similarly, how outdoor residentials and adventure learning took me … Continue reading
Learning Outside the Classroom 