Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service gets top marks for educational visits

Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service has shown itself to be at the top of the class for educational visits by being awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.

Awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the LOtC Quality Badge combines learning and safety into one easily recognisable badge for all organisations providing learning outside the classroom experiences.

Jean North, Archivist said:  “Being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge is a real coup for all the staff here as it shows that we offer young people the type of high quality learning experiences they really benefit from. We're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts and when we move to The Hive this year it will give us lots more opportunities to develop our activities with the young people and we look forward to welcoming even more."

Paul Hudson, Head of Worcestershire History Centre added: "Young people are fascinated to use historic documents relating to the area where they live, such as maps, photos and school log books. As well as working with schools we have also delivered sessions for after school clubs, Worcestershire Young Archaeologists Club, Cubs and Brownies and have run activities at events around the county. Each year we help hundreds of young people to have fun whilst discovering more about the county's past".

"We can also offer advice to teachers on making the most of our resources, and help bring the past to life using these sources, in a relevant way to the national curriculum".

The LOtC Quality Badge was launched in 2009 as part of the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, a national initiative to ensure young people are given more opportunities to have these experiences as part of the curriculum. The LOtC Quality Badge is awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the national voice for Learning Outside the Classroom. The Council also provides free online guidance and information for teachers on how to plan and organise high quality activities. The LOtC Quality Badge is designed to make it easier for teachers to identify providers of quality educational visits. Organisations will display the Quality Badge as a signal to schools that their venue has met required standards, so teachers do not need to carry out their own risk or quality assessments.

For more information about Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service email wlhc@worcestershire.gov.uk or telephone 01905 765922.

For more information about the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, visit http://www.lotcqualitybadge.org.uk/