What is Learning Outside the Classroom?

At its simplest, it is when young people move outside their immediate and accustomed environment to learn from first-hand experiences. For many learners that environment will be the classroom, but it may also be the village hall where the playgroup meets, a pre-school nursery, a youth club, a specialist facility for young people with learning disabilities and specific educational needs, or a further education workshop. Wherever young people learn, from the ages of 0 to 19, learning outside the classroom has a part to play as an integral element in that learning. All young people should experience learning outside the classroom and its benefits, not as a bolt-on to learning but as a central aspect of the learning experience, the curriculum and the courses they are engaged with (Council for Learning Outside the Classroom). 

"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"  Council for Learning Outside the Classroom

Why does Learning Outside the Classroom matter for the Jurassic Coast?

World Heritage Sites offer unique learning environments for children and young people since they are often iconic places and internationally recognised for the importance of their heritage values. The Jurassic Coast is England's only natural World Heritage Site and is one of the most spectacular outdoor learning environments for coastal processes in the world. In addition, there are numerous education and visitor centres across the 95 miles of coastline where schools can access high quality and engaging outdoor learning programmes. World Heritage Sites exist to ensure that the values that make that place special, are conserved for now and for the future. Through delivering a targeted programme to help children and young people realise their aspirations through first hand experiences in the outdoors, we are ensuring that the next generation appreciate the World Heritage Site on their doorstep.