Pioneer Centre awarded 2 yr LOtC Quality Badge

The Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom partnership 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.

The Quality Badge is awarded to providers who have pledged to engage in an ongoing process to sustain high-quality learning outside the classroom and who have demonstrated that they meet six quality indicators. The provider:

1/ Has a process in place to assist users to plan the learning experience effectively;
2/ Provides accurate information about its offer;
3/ Provides activities, experience or resources which meet learner needs;
4/ Reviews the experience and acts on feedback;
5/ Meets the needs of the users;
6/ And has safety management processes in place to manage risk effectively.

Adventure activities include:

Climbing - for example rock climbing, abseiling, ice climbing, gorge walking, ghyll scrambling, sea level traversing, high- and low-level ropes courses

Watersports - for example canoeing, kayaking, dragon boating, wave skiing, white-water rafting, improvised rafting, sailing, sailboarding, windsurfing

Trekking - for example hill-walking, mountaineering, fell-running, orienteering, pony trekking, off-road cycling, off-piste skiing

Caving - for example caving, pot-holing, mine exploration
Challenges and Skills - for example archery, quad bikes, assault courses, mountain boarding, initiative exercises.

Depending on the environment in which they take place, some of the adventure activities listed are subject to licensing, under the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 1996.

However, not all adventure providers are required to hold a licence. Activity centres with an artificial climbing wall, for example, do not need a licence for that specific activity, though their instructors would still need an appropriate qualification or training to lead the activity. Many centres outside the scope of licensing submit to non-statutory inspection and accreditation.

Learning opportunities:

Risk awareness - the knowledge that risks can be identified and managed increases confidence about new or uncertain situations.

Personal and social development - gearing activities for success allows for the development of self-confidence and self-esteem.

Citizenship - learning how to support, lead and follow, being a team player, developing social skills and a sense of community and responsibility

New ideas for physical exercise - alternatives to ball sports and team games

Connection with the natural environment - a developed awareness of green issues.

Recreation - fun and enjoyment, stress relief, purposeful leisure.

An activity course can be directed at the Outdoor & Adventurous Activity targets of the PE Curriculum, but it can also meet many of the requirements of the Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education agenda.

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