27 shortlisted schools had to undergo a rigorous judging process to demonstrate the breadth, diversity and impact of their learning outside the classroom provision. Western Springs Community Primary School, in Rugeley, Staffordshire won the top national prize for its inspiring and exciting approach to getting children out and about.
Headteacher Shirley Wellings received the National Overall Prize on behalf of Western Springs, commenting “We are extremely proud to receive this award. Our teachers work hard to ensure all of our pupils’ benefit from a programme of learning that motivates, engages and develops their skills and understanding of the world around them. The impact of our revised creative curriculum and LOtC activities has been so positive, it has helped to lift the school out of special measures in the last three years and this Award reflects that success.”
Beth Gardner, Chief Executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom which runs the Awards commented “This year has generated some stiff competition from schools and educational establishments across the country. The panel of judges were delighted with the number of entries and the variety of innovative approaches to teaching every subject across every age range. We congratulate Western Springs and all the other winners on their achievements and hope they continue to support bright futures with LOtC”.
All the regional and national winners were delighted to receive their Awards. The winners of the LOtC Awards 2010 are as follows:
National Overall Winner, sponsored by TUI Education Division
Western Springs Community Primary School, Staffordshire
Best LOtC Provision for 11-19yrs, Key Stage 3-5 sponsored by NST
Newall Green High School, Manchester
Best LOtC Provision for 7-11yrs, Key Stage 2 sponsored by PGL
Valley Road Community Primary School, Sunderland
Best LOtC Provision for 0-7yrs, Early Years & Key Stage 1
St Michael’s CE Primary School, Lincoln
Best LOtC Provision for Special Educational Needs
The Lady Jane Franklin School, Spilsby
Regional winners:
West Midlands - May Bank Infant School, Newcastle - under - Lyme
East of England – Pott Row First School, Kings Lynn
London – Glenthorne High School, Sutton
North East – Edmondsley Primary School, County Durham
North West – Brabin’s Endowed School, Preston
South East – Oak Grove College, Worthing
South West – Pinewood School, Wiltshire
Yorkshire & The Humber – Our Lady of Victories Primary School, Keighley
LOtC can have a lasting impact on young people, sparking their imagination, broadening their horizons and developing their understanding of a subject(s). The efforts of the teachers at all the winning schools should inspire others to visit lotc.org.uk so they too can find out how to get their classes out and about and reap the benefits of learning outside the classroom.
The national and regional winners were selected by a panel of expert judges from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom and were presented their award on the 6th December.