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Yorkshire Dales: A place for learning
BOSSES at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) have welcomed the launch of a new campaign aimed at getting young people out of the classroom to enjoy learning more about the world and environment around them.
The 'Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto' was launched yesterday (Tuesday) by Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, at London's Natural History Museum.
The Manifesto is a joint undertaking that many different stakeholders have helped to create and to which anyone can sign up. Its aim is to ensure that all young people have a variety of high quality learning experiences outside the classroom environment - activities highlighted by the government include visits to city farms, parks, field study centres, nature reserves, residential activity centres and places of worship.
The Dales National Park already offers a range of educational opportunities and has now become an official signatory of the outdoor classroom manifesto. In doing so the YDNPA joins over one hundred other education providers, local authorities and organisations, including the RSPB, The National Trust and The Youth Hostel Association.
Speaking on behalf of the YDNPA, Member Champion for Promoting Understanding, Steve Macaré said: "We are delighted to endorse this new Manifesto.
"Children and young people have been using the Yorkshire Dales National Park as a wonderful 'outdoor classroom' resource for many years now and this Manifesto proves just how valuable our work in this area can be. Indeed we have been able to draw on our existing expertise in contributing to its development.
"We feel that we are already ahead of the game in this field and we look forward to implementing the Manifesto's aims on the ground in partnership with education groups from all backgrounds and providers across the National Park.
"Providing access to the information and guidance needed to help as many people as possible take part in high quality education experiences that are both safe and enjoyable will be our top priority."
Speaking at the launch, Graham Wynne, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, commented:
"We enthusiastically support the Manifesto and see it as an important step towards ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn outside the classroom. Along with the other partners of the Real World Learning Campaign, the RSPB looks forward to continuing our work with schools and the DfES in realising the huge potential that the Manifesto offers."
By endorsing the Manifesto, the Authority along with other organisations has collectively pledged to:
Provide all young people with a wide range of experiences outside the classroom, including extended school activities and one or more residential visits
Make a strong case for learning outside the classroom, so there is widespread appreciation of the unique contribution these experiences make to young people's lives.
Offer learning experiences of agreed high quality.
Improve training and professional development opportunities for schools and the wider workforce.
Better enable schools, local authorities and other key organisations to manage visits safely and efficiently.
Provide easy access to information, knowledge, expertise, guidance and resources.
Identify ways of engaging parents, carers and the wider community in learning outside the classroom.
To download a copy of the Manifesto, or find out more, visit: www.teachernet.gov.uk/learningoutsidetheclassroom
