Extending the Boundaries of Learning

Extending the Boundaries of Learning & ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’

Meridian Trust’s Vision: Extending the Boundaries of Learning

‘The Meridian Trust provides a breadth of experience through the curriculum and beyond, including an entitlement for all students to attend educational visits and other activities that enhance and extend the curriculum. These opportunities include spiritual, moral, social and cultural education that instils the values of the Trust..’ (Meridian Trust)

Key Meridian Trust policies which identify Learning Outside the Classroom are:

What is Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) and how does this Extend the Boundaries of Learning?

What is Learning Outside the Classroom -LOtC- and how does this Extend the Boundaries of Learning? 

‘…Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) is defined by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom as an approach where students gain educational experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting. These experiences can occur in various environments like museums, parks, and other community spaces. LOtC promotes hands-on, real-world learning, encouraging students to connect theory with practice and develop personal, social, and practical skills.

Learning Outside the Classroom is also about bringing the outside world into the classroom through visiting speakers, organisations and businesses.  We work with a number of employers and this helps us gain placements for students during work experiences, helps students learn about the world of work and ensures that we prepare all our students for the workplace.  We encourage businesses to get involved with students to help further support their journey’s.

In addition to the weekly enrichment programme, there is a wide -range of other whole academy community events:

• Inter-House competitions
• Extended curriculum days
• Enrichment week
• Charity events, including the annual charities morning

There are student leadership opportunities to be found throughout all aspects of academy life – from the informal leadership that is inherent in the mixed age tutor groups, through to the academy Student Council, and local and national representative groups.

Similarly, internationalism is promoted through the House structure with Houses linking to different continents on an annual rotation. This is also supported by a range of foreign trips and links to partner schools on other continents.

We celebrate and publicise the trips, visits and outdoor learning through Facebook, our Termly Newsletters and in Letters Home.

We also have a very comprehensive offer to all students who are in receipt of Pupil Premium Funding to ensure we close the experiential gap by: ensuring heavily subsidised participation in three free trips at KS3 and one residential trip. This is in line with the Meridian Trust PP Charter.

See here for:

PLEDGES Including 41/99/61 Things To Do

Extra-curricular Activities and Schedules

Sporting Fixtures

Army/Sea Cadets

Duke of Edinburgh

Specialist School Activities: Arts Mark, STEM speciality etc.