Always on
This project successfully funded on 24th November 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
United Kingdom
Aim
To enable all children and young people to access life changing learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
Help us transform young lives.
Support better outcomes for children and young people through safe and high-quality learning experiences beyond the classroom.
We believe that every child, no matter their background, should be able to access learning and life experiences that…
- improve mental and physical health
- build resilience and confidence
- build trusting relationships
- increase achievement and skills for life and work
- develop pro-environmental behaviours.
The evidence is clear that learning beyond or outside the classroom (LOtC) has a wealth of benefits for children and young people.
Learning isn’t just about sitting at a desk – it’s about engaging with the world, connecting with others, and finding your passion. LOtC includes experiences near and far, inside and out, within and beyond the school day - from visiting local parks and farms to adventurous residentials; from day visits to theatres and museums to taking part in international study and sports tours; from bringing visitors back into school to taking virtual tours around cutting-edge industries.
These experiences can spark a lifetime of curiosity that shapes the person we become. Learning beyond the classroom opens a world of possibilities.
Here at the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, we work with schools and other organisations to ensure that everyone can access these opportunities and, crucially, that the experience is safe and meets their needs. But we can’t do it without your help.
Your donation will help us to...
- Provide free support to schools who need it most – offering CPD, training and resources for staff to support them in developing their LOtC and providing more children and young people with life changing experiences.
- Continue to operate the LOtC Quality Badge – a quality assurance scheme that is free for schools and others to help them choose organisations that have been independently assessed for the quality of their educational programmes and risk management. This is a vital service that helps ensure the safety of our children and young people.
Why we exist
Learning beyond the classroom should be available to every child and young person, but we know that this is not the case. LOtC has the biggest impact when it is embedded in daily educational practice and culture, and is inclusive for all learners.
We also know that children from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those with additional needs, can gain the greatest benefit from LOtC, and they are less likely to be able to have these experiences at home. LOtC is well-evidenced, low cost and universally available. In this time of widening inequalities and financial challenges, support from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom is a lifeline that ensures more children get the start in life that they deserve.
To make this happen, we need to:
- support teachers to feel confident in taking their teaching beyond the classroom
- continue to drive up standards so that all learning outside the classroom is safe and effective
With your support, any amount donated will help make this happen.
What we do
So, what do we do? We support both schools and organisations through our valued services such as the LOtC Quality Badge scheme and CPD programmes.
For example, the LOtC Quality Badge is a trusted assurance scheme that has been running for over 15 years and is endorsed by English and Welsh governments. It is stated in Department for Education and teaching unions’ guidance on educational visits.
The LOtC Quality Badge assesses whether an organisation has policies and procedures that meet current requirements and legislation which gives teachers, community groups and parents/carers peace of mind. An out-of-date safeguarding policy or electrical testing, poor communication of emergency procedures – all of these could have serious consequences.
We work with names that you’d recognise, such as Buckingham Palace, Science Museum, Go Ape and YHA, as well as a wealth of local museums, faith centres and visiting theatre groups, to name just a few. Big or small, it is imperative that we reach all individuals and organisations that are working with schools and community groups.
“Being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge for our educational workshops and school residentials, provides teachers and groups with the trust and reassurance they need when booking. The standards and framework provided by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom means we consistently review our standards and best practices to provide an exemplary service.”
Laura Storey, Legoland Windsor Resort
“NEU members recognise the huge value of taking children on educational visits, but they can be time-consuming to organise. Being able to arrange visits with venues that hold a LOtC Quality Badge removes some of that burden, leaving teachers confident that the visit they have booked will meet the needs of their pupils and be safe, but also that it will be a rich educational experience.”
Sarah Lyons, Lead Officer Health, Safety & Environment, National Education Union (NEU)
What teachers say
“Learning outside the classroom can help children with learning disabilities or additional needs to gain more independence and self-confidence, reduce anxiety, build resilience, and improve their communication skills”
Sally Rowley, Teacher and Behaviour Lead, Sherbrook Primary School
“Learning beyond the classroom is an essential part of children’s educational experience. It helps to develop a knowledge and understanding of the world around them and of themselves, preparing our young people with positive attitudes and healthy habits for a successful future.”
Ms Spillane, Principal, Drapers’ Maylands Primary School, Gold LOtC Mark School
The difference it makes
We have worked with thousands of schools, early years settings, colleges, community groups, and organisations offering LOtC to improve outcomes for children and young people. But there are so many more that want our help.
Help us transform lives by building resilience, confidence, and hope in our young people so that they will be better equipped to look after themselves, each other, and the planet.
Thank you.
Any amount will help us support more schools…
£120 gives a whole school access to online CPD and training – to help schools take more of their learning beyond the classroom
£1,200 gives 10 schools access to online training and support – to help them embed LOtC in their whole school practice
£2,500 supports every LOtC Quality Badge applicant with additional, expert safeguarding support
Recognising your support
To recognise all our supporters, large and small, there is the option to be listed on the supporter page on our website.
Donations of £3,000 or over can receive social media shout outs and their logo on our website.
“I welcome all the work that the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom does supporting schools on quality assurance for safe and effective activities delivered by outside organisations. […] We want all children and young people to have access to a variety of enriching experiences, as an important part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity. […] As well as the potential to support educational outcomes, well planned visits can also help children and young people to gain new skills, strengthen their sense of school belonging, and promote good wellbeing, supporting them to thrive.”
Catherine McKinnell MP Minister for School Standards
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made