Trips & Visits.

Learning outside the classroom

At Holywell School, we believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances. We endorse the ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ Manifesto https://oeapng.info/downloads/making-the-case/. Learning outside the classroom (LOtC) is defined as: “the use of places other than the classroom for teaching and learning.” The rationale is that such learning often makes “the most memorable learning experiences” and “help us to make sense of the world around us by making links between feelings and learning. They stay with us into adulthood and affect our behaviour, lifestyle and work. They influence our values and the decisions we make. They allow us to transfer learning experienced outside to the classroom and vice versa.” Learning outside the classroom is about raising achievement through an organised, powerful approach to learning in which direct experience is of prime importance. This is not only about what we learn but importantly how and where we learn. It is not an end in itself but rather a vehicle to develop the capacity to learn. Good quality learning outside the classroom adds much value to classroom learning.

As part of our curriculum provision and delivery of the National Curriculum, Learning Outside the Classroom has a vital part to play in meeting the demands of the National Curriculum, and in achieving the goal of effectively preparing young people for life beyond school. At Holywell School, we use educational visits, residential experience and activities in the local learning area of the school and school grounds as an integral part of our whole-school approach.

Every year we try to expand our provision for learning beyond the classroom - what follows is a summary of our current regular offers.