A survey commissioned by Bohunt Education Trust (BET) and conducted by Censuswide revealed that only 10% of participants believe that children today have more learning outside the classroom opportunities than they had in their own school years. 71% of participants blamed cost as the biggest factor in preventing LOtC opportunities for children. 72% called for a greater focus on LOtC in both primary and secondary schools and 78% said LOtC was important for children’s self-development, with 68% saying it improved academic achievement.
The Trust themselves champion an extensive outdoor education and learning programme for its students as it sees LOtC as “crucial to building well-rounded individuals, for resilience, character and teamwork, as well as beneficial for academic attainment”. The Trust is a course provider for Mountain Training UK which in recent years has seen students across the Trust’s seven schools go on expeditions to Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Greenland and Himalayas, with future expeditions already scheduled to locations including Sri Lanka and Norway. One of their schools even incorporates climbing into the curriculum!
The Trust ensures that LOtC is available for all students regardless of background or family financial status. Students get involved in fundraising and expeditions are scheduled three years in advance, allowing families to plan ahead. Students receiving the Pupil Premium are provided with bursaries so that every student who wants to go on a trip can.
This is an excellent example of getting all students involved with learning outside the classroom and ensuring nobody is left out. Have you considered fundraising opportunities or thought about planning trips and visits more in advance to give students/parents ample time to save money?
