Capital primary school is top of the class for outdoor learning

An Edinburgh primary school has become the first in Scotland to receive a national award for its commitment to taking learning outside the classroom.

St Andrew’s Fox Covert RC Primary School has been given the national Learning Outside the Classroom Mark (Gold), the highest accolade of its kind.

The award has been given by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), the national voice for teaching beyond the classroom which is known to contribute significantly to raising attainment and improving pupil and staff wellbeing.

As part of their submission for Gold status, St Andrew’s excelled in the following important areas:

• capitalising on their resources, including nearby Corstorphine Hill, to ensure learning was based in local, accessible places
• maximising commitment to learning for sustainability and their core ecological values; nurture, inspire, flourish
• ensuring that their work was rooted in Curriculum for Excellence and that all learning was underpinned by progressive skills for learning, life and work

Rebecca Favier, Head Teacher at St Andrew’s, said: “Being awarded the gold mark is a tremendous achievement for all the staff and pupils. That we are the first school in Scotland to achieve this makes it even more special! It shows that we are providing our pupils with potentially life-changing opportunities to learn in meaningful contexts.

“We’re thrilled to get national recognition for our efforts, and we look forward to continuing to develop what we do, helping our pupils achieve their potential and to promoting the many benefits of taking teaching and learning beyond the classroom walls.”

Primary 5 pupil Billy said: I love learning outside my classroom on Corstorphine Hill. We do maths, language, science, nature studies and art and it’s fun doing it in the fresh air.

“Even when it isn’t sunny we keep our outdoor clothes in school for all weather. It makes learning feel like playtime with my friends. St Andrew’s is the best school ever!”

Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: Well done to all the teaching staff and pupils at St Andrew’s who have made such a massive contribution to achieving this award.

“It’s great to see such innovative learning and teaching being taken out of the classroom and getting the national recognition that it fully deserves.”

Councillor Alison Dickie, Education Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This past year has been a real challenge for our young people and teaching staff so a massive thumbs up to St Andrew’s for leading the way in Scotland.

“This is creative learning at its best and these outdoor experiences both improve pupils’ academic attainment but also personal development and health and wellbeing.”

Kerr Willis, Chair of St Andrew’s Parent Council, said: “Big congratulations to all the staff and pupils for achieving Gold Award status in LOtC.

“It’s great to see the school making use of the incredible outdoor space near the campus to provide the children with a creative and practical approach to learning. Keep up the great work!”

Dr Anne Hunt, Chief Executive of CLOtC said: “Learning outside the classroom has many proven educational benefits as well as providing some of the most valuable and memorable experiences in a child’s school life. 

“Achieving LOtC Mark (Gold) demonstrates that St Andrew’s Fox Covert RC Primary is a leader in providing learning experiences outside the classroom and that these sessions are a genuine part of the everyday life of the school, are available to all of their children and young people.

“I congratulate them on achieving this award.”

For more information about LOtC Mark, please visit http://www.lotc.org.uk/lotc-accreditations/lotc-mark/