Courtesy of Section Start.

Teachers concerned about the quality and safety of children’s school trips will find them easier to organise with the launch of a new Quality Badge for providers of the government-backed Learning Outside the Classroom initiative.

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls launched the badge at the beginning of October as part of the Out and About package, which is aimed at giving schools clearer information on how to organise effective off-site learning for their pupils.

It is hoped that more children and young people will be able to take part in learning outside the classroom activities, from archaeological digs to museum visits, thanks to the new measures.

A badged provider will need to meet a set of ‘quality indicators’ in order to demonstrate that the experiences they offer are of a high enough standard. Assessors will look for evidence that the provider meets these indicators and has the appropriate processes and procedures in place.

Courtesy Arts Council England.

Providers looking to gain the badge will be supported by a package of online support materials. Available from November, this will include general guidance as well as downloadable learning resources.

Guidance for schools and parents is also available, with details on how to plan, run and evaluate experiences. A ‘Making the Case’ section, complete with research evidence, will also highlight the benefits of taking learning outside the classroom.

The scheme will go live in January 2009, when the first badges will be awarded.

The Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge is the result of a collaboration between professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Further information is available at the website www.lotcqualitybadge.org.uk/