RAMM gets top marks for educational visits
15 June 2009
RAMM has shown itself to be at the top of the class for educational visits by being awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge. The Quality Badge scheme combines for the first time learning and safety into one easily recognisable badge for all organisations providing learning outside the classroom experiences.
Cllr Kevin Mitchell, Exeter's Lead Councillor for Leisure and Museums said "Being awarded the Quality Badge is a real coup for the council. 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 we look forward to welcoming even more local children to our workshops."
RAMM offers a wide range of workshops
The Museum Learning Team offers a wide range of experiences to children and families. Workshops linked to the National Curriculum are offered to schools. These include Romans, Ancient Egypt, World War 2, Small World/World Cultures and art workshops in the classroom and Tudor Life and Wood and Wind: The Great Fire of London workshops at St Nicholas Priory. The team also integrates family learning into gallery visits, organises special family activities and is developing an early years trail for St Nicholas Priory. In 2006, they were awarded the Sandford Award for heritage education.
About the Award
The LOtC Quality Badge was developed by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom with the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It is the first national accreditation scheme giving an easily recognisable and trusted Quality Badge to all types of organisations providing safe high quality educational experiences outside the classroom. The badge is designed to make it easier for teachers to identify providers of quality educational visits. There are currently 14 accredited providers in the South West, including 4 others in the heritage and museums sector.
Ed Balls, Secretary of State Children, Schools and Families, said: "Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child's school life. Quality Badges offer teachers a guarantee that not only is a venue providing the sort of educational value that they can build on in class long after the visit but they also have the appropriate risk management structures in place.
"It is a significant victory in our battle to move away from the misguided perception that learning outside the classroom is a potential minefield for teachers. I want to see teachers using Quality Badges as practical decision making tool. It should ensure that many more young people have memorable, exciting and valuable learning outside the classroom experiences. I congratulate the Royal Albert Memorial Museum on being awarded the badge."
