Young cavers in the Yorkshire Dales

A Government-backed project to cut red tape and get youngsters involved in outdoor activities swung into action today.

Activity providers and teaching representatives welcomed the Quality Badge scheme, which saw 65 organisations approved for providing children and youth groups with assessed outdoor opportunities. The idea is that schools and other groups can then use these organisations with confidence without having to perform their own risk assessments.

The initiative comes in the face of rising concerns about childhood obesity and the ‘cotton-wool culture’ that inhibits children’s and young people’s participation in outdoor activities.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said: “Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. I want to see schools taking advantage of the opportunities that learning outside the classroom provides to bring subjects to 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.

“I am pleased that the Quality Badge scheme has been welcomed by a wide range of organisations, including local authorities and teacher unions. 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.

“Tens of thousands of children take part in learning outside the classroom every day. I am determined that no child should miss out on these vital experiences because of unnecessary red tape or because of a cotton-wool culture that discourages all kinds of risk.

“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.”

All higher risk providers such as adventurous activity centres and farms will be checked by independent industry assessors before they are awarded the badge. The Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee will administer the scheme for outdoor activity providers.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of teaching union NASUWT, said: “The award of the Quality Badge should give schools greater confidence in planning Learning Outside the Classroom activities for pupils, but without adding burdens onto schools.

“Health, safety and quality educational experiences are vitally important considerations for schools, parents and pupils.

“Organisations that receive the Quality Badge award will need to demonstrate that they can help schools to keep pupils safe and, at the same time, deliver educational experiences of the highest possible standards of quality.

“The Quality Badge should mean that schools no longer have to gamble on their choice of provider of LOtC experiences. Instead, schools should be able to choose a provider with confidence and in the knowledge that they have been awarded the Quality Badge.

“No activity is ever risk free. However, the integrity of the Quality Badge means that providers holding the badge must be those that manage risk properly, comply with good practice and statutory provisions on health and safety, and are committed to working constructively with schools to give every pupil the best possible educational experience.”

A Council for Learning Outside the Classroom will be launched next month to oversee the Government’s manifesto on expanding outside provision for all three- to 19-year-olds.