Slimbridge Learning Team Achieves Recognition for High Quality Educational Visits
We are delighted to announce that the WWT Slimbridge Learning Zone has been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge
WWT Slimbridge has achieved national recognition for its educational visits and has once again been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge (Site Only).
The LOtC Quality Badge is the only scheme that recognises quality of learning and effectiveness of risk management and is awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
Sue Belej, Learning Manager at WWT Slimbridge said:
“Being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge (Site Only) is a fantastic achievement for all the staff here as it shows that we offer young people high quality facilities and advice on how to use them to bring learning to life. We're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts."
Since moving the delivery of our sessions outdoors, we have a richer range of resources including; habitat, wildlife and physical structures such as hides and teaching spaces around us to use and seize opportunities from. Providing opportunities to connect with nature is really important for us. These range from stopping to look at and listen to our surroundings or feeding a bird, to investigating the layers of a wetland through identifying plants and looking for minibeasts. Every day and every season is different. We just love seeing what learners discover and we look forward to welcoming even more children and young people to our wetland centre."
Held by some of the leading providers of educational visits, the LOtC Quality Badge is endorsed by the Department for Education and the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel Cymru recommends schools use awarded providers for their educational visit or trips. Thanks to its recognition, holding the LOtC Quality Badge provides peace of mind for teachers and leaders, and helps to streamline booking an educational visit.
Dr Anne Hunt, Chief Executive of CLOtC said:
“Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. The LOtC Quality Badge (Site Only) offers teachers the reassurance that the venue has appropriate risk management structures in place and supporting teachers to consider how they can use the venue for their learning, meaning less paperwork for schools and peace of mind for teachers. I congratulate WWT Slimbridge on being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge (Site Only).”
We continue to celebrate the success of Generation Wild, which was launched by WWT in 2021. This is a new nature-connection project for schools and families from disadvantaged areas. Current qualifying criteria for schools to take part free of charge, is 25% of pupils being eligible for free school meals. This includes a free visit (with transport included) to Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
We are also proud to have recently introduced our ‘Wetlands for Wellbeing’ session, which uses mindfulness, storytelling and sensory approaches to improve children’s wellbeing whilst inspiring a love of nature. It is delivered in our new wetland landscape Estuary Shore and gives children and adults dedicated time to connect with nature or just take time for themselves in beautiful surroundings.
To learn more and book your visit, click here:
For more information about the LOtC Quality Badge visit www.lotcqualitybadge.org.uk
