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Press release: Report highlights the benefit of learning outside the classroom

A new Ofsted report reveals that pupils’ participation and achievement can benefit significantly from getting involved with activities outside the classroom – but not all schools and colleges are reaping the full benefits, because some do not incorporate many off-site experiences into the curriculum.

Learning outside the classroom: how far should you go? is the latest report from the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). In the sample of schools visited, it found that well-planned activities not only enhance pupils’ learning, but can also re-engage those who are hard to motivate.

Activities such as trips to museums; visits to historical landmarks in foreign countries, after-hours sports and music clubs or even just conducting a science class in the school field, all increased pupils’ involvement, enjoyment and, crucially, achievement in their subjects in the survey schools. While some schools are deterred by health and safety, financial and workload concerns, the report shows that schools which have curricular provision classed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘improving’ have overcome these barriers. Where young people experience memorable events in their education, they don’t just remember the emotion and excitement of the event itself but the learning that went with it.

However, the study also shows that few teachers or even headteachers are aware of the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Learning Outside the Classroom manifesto, launched two years ago with the aim of encouraging more off-site learning. Schools in the report that had emphasised learning outside the classroom in their curriculum had done so because they believed in its value.

Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector said:“The positive impact of learning outside the classroom is widely recognised, but unfortunately it is sometimes seen as an extra or a treat, rather than as an integral part of the curriculum. Many schools will find the examples highlighted in the report extremely useful.”

For example, one school, which saw learning outside the classroom as absolutely integral to its curriculum, used fundraisers and its own budget to finance all trips, so parents were not faced with the cost of activities. Another made bursaries available for pupils, thereby promoting social inclusion and ensuring that all those from disadvantaged backgrounds were able to participate.

The report also shows that learning outside the classroom can improve other outcomes for children as well as raising academic standards. Activities such as volunteering were shown to have a positive impact on the social development of pupils in some of the survey schools. In addition, work experience, or activities such as enterprise clubs, can encourage innovation and creativity.

Ofsted’s recommendations are:

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)should reinforce the message to schools about the value of learning outside the classroom and support its appropriate use more widely across its programmes.

Local authorities and their partners should build on their successful work in assuring appropriate health and safety practices by better supporting and encouraging schools in enhancing the quality of learning outside the classroom as a method of raising achievement.

Schools and colleges should ensure their curriculum planning includes sufficient well-structured opportunities for all learners to engage in learning outside the classroom as a key, integrated element of their experience. They should evaluate the quality of learning outside the classroom to ensure that it has maximum impact on learners’ achievement, personal development and well-being; and ensure equal and full access for all learners to learning outside the classroom by monitoring participation in activities by different groups of learners, removing any barriers.

Related Links

• Read the report
• Read the news article

Notes For Editors

• Information was gathered from visits to 27 schools, where curriculum provision has previously been classed as outstanding or improving, 13 specialist organisations including learning outside the classroom providers and from discussions with 5 local authorities. The full report is available at www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports

• The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) has the responsibility for the regulation and inspection of children's social care, the inspection of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, childminders, full and sessional day-care providers, out of school care, crèches, adoption and fostering agencies, residential schools, family centres and homes for children, all state maintained schools, some independent schools, pupil referral units, the overall level of services for children in local authority areas (known as Joint Area Reviews), further education Initial Teacher Training, and publicly funded adult skills and employment based training.

• The Ofsted Press Office can be contacted on 08456 4040404 between 8am – 6pm Monday – Friday. During evenings and weekends we can be reached on 07919 057359.

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