Harold Hill primary school wins award for outside learning

Drapers’ Maylands Primary School in Harold Hill has been awarded the Gold LOtC Mark by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

It is the only school in Havering and one of four in the whole of London to achieve this, while there are only two in Essex and 28 across the whole UK. 

Principal Trudy Spillane said: “Learning Beyond the Classroom is an essential part of children’s educational experience.

"It helps to develop a knowledge and understanding of the world around them and of themselves, preparing our young people with positive attitudes and healthy habits for a successful future.

"Being awarded the Gold LOtC Mark is a fantastic achievement and we're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts.”

Drapers students make the most of their nearby nature reserve (Image: Drapers Schools)

Teachers at Drapers’ Maylands Primary believe experience-based learning supports pupils in a number of ways, developing their knowledge and experiences in a way that classroom-based learning is not able to.

Teachers and children have access to a stimulating and varied outdoor learning environment within the school grounds and the local area, with the school a short walk from the Dagnam Park nature reserve.  

Forest School sessions take place in The Manor woodland and Duck Wood. On the school grounds there are outdoor classrooms, school ducks, an orchard, a quiet garden, vegetable beds, an enchanted wood library, a technology zone, themed group rooms and outdoor play equipment. 

The LOtC Mark is awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), a UK-wide charity that champions all learning that happens beyond the classroom.

Its work supports educators, schools and organisations which are dedicated to ensuring more children and young people have opportunities for lifechanging learning experiences beyond the classroom, whether these happen indoors or outdoors, close to home or far away.

Providing students with more opportunities to access high quality learning beyond the classroom experiences can open their eyes to the world around them and allows them to develop into well-rounded citizens.

Dr Anne Hunt, chief executive of CLOtC said: “Learning outside the classroom has many proven educational benefits as well as providing some of the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life.

"Achieving the Gold LOtC Mark demonstrates that Drapers’ Maylands Primary School is committed to developing and delivering genuinely valuable learning outside the classroom experiences for their children and young people and I congratulate them on achieving this award.”