Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Report

Committee:

Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs Select Committee

Date of meeting:

12 November 2009

Report Title:

Strategy for Learning Outside the Classroom

Report From:

Director of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs

Contact name:

Stuart Nundy

Tel:

01962 845468

Email:

[email protected]

1. Executive Summary:

1.1. To approve the strategy and initial publication with respect to Culture Communities and Rural Affairs (CCRA) engagement with children, schools and young people.

2. Issues Covered in Report:

2.1 Evolution of the CCRA offer for Learning outside the classroom.

2.2 A presentation of the formal commitment to LOtC and direct work with schools and young people.

2.3 An outline of the strategy for 2010/11.

3. Contextual Information:

3.1 In November 2008 the Director of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs set up a cross cutting or thematic working group to look at current CCRA engagement with schools and education. Stuart Nundy was asked to lead this group, which comprises representatives from all services within CCRA. The intention was to create a situation whereby HCC schools looking for out of classroom opportunities would automatically turn first to CCRA services across the board.

3.2 The group developed a programme which, after an initial audit of current work, began to put in place a strategy for engaging with schools. Working in close partnership with Children's Services and to help shape this, a conference of all CCRA `learning staff' was programmed for March 2009, at Milestones, to permit debate and develop ideas and content for a proposed CCRA `offer' to schools. The conference included representatives from Children's Services, and was addressed by both Yinnon Ezra and John Coughlan, Director of Children's Services.

3.3 Following this, the group spent the summer creating the initial project outcome, a hard copy description of the proposed CCRA Offer. This was modelled on the DCSF's own national manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom, which schools are currently engaging with and which gave a clear opportunity to provide a holistic approach from across CCRA. Consultation was carried out with colleagues within Children's Services and a group of Head Teachers. This document is now set to be printed (Appendix One) and will be issued to all schools and young people groups within Hampshire. Headteacher conferences will be targeted as points of direct contact and the communication systems within Children's Services will be utilised.

3.4 At the same time, a web based offer will also be launched. Based upon the hard copy, this will provide a portal to specific CCRA services, allowing teachers and others to access the precise visit/activity they require.

3.5 Further into 2010, the opportunity presents itself to offer a LOtC `fair' or conference, based around CCRA services, to which heads and teachers would be invited. Regional Headteacher Executive meetings will be addressed on a rotational basis, thus ensuring that schools are kept in touch with the range of opportunities within CCRA.

3.6 Close partnership working with Children's Services will continue, via the Outdoor Education, Sport and PE Sevice and through contact with other colleagues involved in LOtC, including Extended Schools and Building Schools for the Future

4. Recommendation:

4.1 It is recommended that:

    The Executive Member for Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs approves the publication of the LOtC offer to schools and the strategy of direct engagement with Heads and teachers.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

Hampshire safer and more secure for all:

No

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Maximising well-being:

yes

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Enhancing our quality of place:

yes

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

 

    The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. (NB: the list excludes published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

 

    Document

    Location

    None

  
   
   
   

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

    No adverse impact on any group of young people has been identified. The offer is designed to be accessible to the greatest number of children and young people.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

    N/A

3. Climate Change:

    a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

      · No impact Identified

    b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

      · Encourages children to engage with the real world, leading to greater understanding and awareness