When schools use an external provider for an educational visit, how can the EVC or Visit Leader be confident that the organisation has appropriate arrangements in place for both learning and risk management?
One useful indicator is the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) Quality Badge.
What is the LOtC Quality Badge?
The LOtC Quality Badge is a national award that assesses both the quality of educational provision and risk management across a wide range of learning outside the classroom providers. It is recognised by the Department for Education, and Department for Education guidance recommends that schools look for the Quality Badge when choosing external providers.
The badge can apply to a much wider variety of provision than traditional outdoor adventure centres. Examples can include:
- museums and castles
- botanical gardens and city farms
- theme parks and zoos
- field study and adventure centres
- sports coaching
Providers holding the badge have to meet defined Quality Indicators. This provides reassurance that their approach to education and risk management has been independently assessed. Risk management is therefore an important part of the assessment. For an EVC or Visit Leader, this is about knowing that the provider has appropriate arrangements for managing the risks associated with their provision.
For example, relevant considerations when looking at a provider’s risk management arrangements could include how risks such as fire are managed and whether effective arrangements are in place for reporting and learning from accidents, incidents and near misses.
How does a provider get the badge?
CLOtC oversees certification of the Quality Badge. Because the badge covers such a broad range of learning outside the classroom opportunities, providers can be assessed through different awarding bodies with expertise in particular types of provision.
Each provider must meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate that the same Quality Indicators are satisfied, although the assessment process varies depending on the appropriate awarding body.
What Somerset providers might you recognise?
Somerset schools may come across LOtC Quality Badge holders when planning anything from a local day visit to an adventurous residential. One recognisable Somerset example on the Adventure Activity Associates list of LOtC Quality Badge holders is Cheddar Gorge and Caves. Find a LOtC Quality Badge Holder: Find a Holder | Adventure Activity Associates
Rather than relying on a provider having held the badge previously, EVCs and Visit Leaders should check the current CLOtC holder directory when planning their visit.
How do I check whether my provider has the LOtC Quality Badge?
It is straightforward to check:
- Visit https://www.lotc.org.uk.
- Select ‘Find a LOtC Quality Badge Holder’.
- Search for a particular provider or use the location/postcode search to identify providers in an area.
- The directory can also be searched by provider type.
This is also a useful way to explore potential providers when you are at the early stages of planning a visit.
Important: LOtC is not the same as AALA or other adventurous activity accreditation
Do not confuse the LOtC Quality Badge with the checks that may apply when undertaking Category B or adventurous activities. The Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme provides a statutory licensing framework for specified adventurous activities, with the HSE directory allowing schools to search for licensed providers by activity, including climbing, water sports, trekking and caving.
Key Message
LOtC Quality Badge = quality of learning provision + risk management
AALA = assurance relating specifically to the provision and management of certain adventurous activities
Depending on the visit and activities involved, the relevant checks required under Somerset’s Outdoor Education guidance still need to be followed.
