Council takes children out of the classroom.. and wins national accolade
Fossil hunting in quarries, bug hunting in woods and walking with the Victorians at St John’s House Museum are just some of the ways in which Warwickshire County Council is getting children out of the classroom and winning a national quality mark.
The council’s Heritage Education Service has been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge which will help cut the red tape that surrounds school visits and give even more children memorable educational experiences.
Under the scheme, organisations display the badge as a signal to schools that their venue has met the required standard, so teachers do not need to
carry out their own risk or quality assessments.
Last year alone, Warwickshire County Council’s Heritage Education Service worked with nearly 20,000 school children and families and it is hoped that the new accreditation will encourage more schools to take children out of the classroom and enjoy the many activities that are taking place.
The service uses the collections of Warwickshire Museum Service and the County Record Office to make the heritage of Warwickshire accessible through activities, events and workshops for school groups, children, families, young people and adults.
The Quality Badge was developed by the Department of Children, Schools and Families 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 curriculum.
Dr Graeme Betts, Strategic Director for Adult, Health and Community Services at Warwickshire County Council said: “The quality badge not only recognises the fantastic job that our Heritage Education staff do to enrich learning but also gives schools the confidence that we offer a high quality service in a safe environment.”