The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) has secured some fascinating speakers for their forthcoming annual conference at Gilwell Park Conference Cetren, Epping, Essex on 26 November 2015.
The speakers will be able to give an insight into how learning outside the classroom (LOtC) can support character development, and what this means for you as a provider of LOtC.
Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO, CBE is a passionate and practical campaigner who has a senior leadership role in charities aiming to transform education and opportunities for young people. As Chair of Teach First from 2006 to 2014, and now Vice Patron, Julia pioneered efforts to address educational disadvantage. Julia is Vice Chair of the Fair Education Alliance, was appointed to chair the National Literacy Trust in 2013 and chairs Read On. Get On., the national campaign to ensure all children are reading well by the age of 11. She is a co-founder and trustee of Step Up To Serve and is also a board member of National Citizen Service, Teach for All, The Careers and Enterprise Company and the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation.
This is an opportunity for you to learn how projects such as the National Citizen Service support young people’s development, and how you can engage with these projects to ensure more young people access meaningful LOtC.
The Hive-Croydon and Children’s University
This year, we are delighted that conference attendees will hear directly from young people who have benefited from LOtC opportunities. Young volunteers from The Hive Croydon will be talking about their experiences as volunteers with the Children’s University.
The Hive-Croydon aims to formally recognise, reward and celebrate the commitment that young people (aged 5 -19) make in attending Children’s University activities. We will hear from some of the post-14 students who have participated in the charity’s Routes programme, which has a strong emphasis on volunteering and mentoring Children’s University learning. They will reflect on the skills they have learned through the programme.
There will also be a series of informative case studies:
LOtC in the Early Years: Bus Stop Pre-school
Bus Stop Pre-school in Surrey is the first early years setting to achieve LOtC Mark (Gold). Kate Rice and Kelly Haines, the owner and manager of Bus Stop, will be talking about their commitment to LOtC, and the importance of LOtC for children in early years, as well as offering tips for engaging early years learners.
Developing teachers through LOtC: York St John University
As part of their BA course in Primary Education, students at York St John University undertake a two week placement in settings other than schools (SOTS) such as museums, galleries or outdoor education centres. Janet Spencer, ITE partnership manager at the university, will talk about the SOTS placement, and the impact this has had on students’ teaching skills. This is an opportunity to hear about the students’ observations of learning in different settings, and think about how their experiences could help you to develop provision at your setting.
The conference will also feature an exciting programme of practical workshops engaging with the theme of character development from organisations including The Scouts Association, Learning Away, Historic England and Farms for City Children. The full workshop programme will be announced shortly.
Awards
The conference also features the 2015 Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Learning Outside the Classroom.
Places for this year’s conference are already booking fast. To ensure you don’t miss out, book your place now.
