Being awarded the Silver LOtC Mark is a fantastic achievement for everyone at PCJS as it shows that we are really making strides in providing our students with vital opportunities to learn outside the classroom. We're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts, and we look forward to building on this award to help more students achieve their potential.

The LOtC Mark is awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the UK-wide charity that champions all learning that happens beyond the classroom. Their work supports educators, schools and organisations who 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. The many benefits of LOtC are now well-evidenced and include improving academic attainment, physical health, emotional well-being, self-esteem, and resilience.

The Learning Outside the Classroom Council said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to assess Pickering Community Junior. Their application was clear and well supported with a wide range of appropriate and inspiring evidence. It is clear that the school believes learning outside the classroom is fundamental to providing an enriched and holistic approach to education. Children and staff obviously benefit from both the wide range of opportunities that are provided and the structures and systems that are in place to ensure good practice.  The school has taken a well measured and creative approach to improving the provision and delivery of LOtC. They recognise points that can be developed further and these will be reviewed in a timely manner to support staff well-being, ensure new initiatives are embedded and sustainable.”