Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge for Adventurous Activities Providers

Why apply ?

    The LOtC Quality Badge provides you with a framework to ensure you are meeting the needs of your school clients. It supports you to:

    • Stay up to date with statutory guidance and latest good practice
    • Develop customer relationships by improving communications with schools to support their learning outcomes and plan a successful visit.
    • Mitigate business risk by directing you to check you have the appropriate policies and procedures in place to protect your organisation.
    • Provide reassurance allowing school staff to book with confidence.

    The Department for Education’s guidance on Health & Safety on Educational Visits recommends that schools look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing external providers of educational visits. The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel endorse the LOtC Quality Badge and most Local Authority Outdoor Education Advisers accept it in place of some or all of their checks, so reduces schools’ and your own paperwork. Senedd Cymru endorse the advice provided by OEAP Cymru which includes using LOtC Quality Badge holders.

    Once you hold the LOtC Quality Badge CLOtC also offers opportunities for you to promote your organisation for free via their website and social media.

    Who can apply ?

    This is a non-statutory scheme and as such, there is no legal requirement for providers to achieve the badge. However, we are certain that providers will see the benefit of the badge and in reviewing and improving their own offering. Schools may ask providers if they have the LOtC Quality Badge.

    To apply as an Adventurous Activities provider, you will be offering activities that require technical risk management and staff with technical competence, such as rock climbing and mountaineering, sailing, paddlesports, surfing, skiing, and high ropes courses.  Most activities will have established National Governing Body qualifications and some may require an Adventurous Activities Licencing Authority licence.

    All applicants need to meet the eligibility criteria and will need to demonstrate that they have achieved the same Quality Indicators.

    How to apply as an Adventurous Activities Provider ?

    The procedure for assessment and the cost is set by each Awarding Body.  For Adventurous Activity applicants there are three paths to achieving the LOtC Quality Badge:

    1. You can apply directly through AAAs.
    2. Providers who hold an AALA licence can apply for a "top up" inspection.

    To apply for these two paths you need to complete the application form by clicking here.  Once this is checked you will be invoiced and after payment an assessor will be assigned to arrange a site visit. They need to see your site and observe activities in action. 

    1. Through your membership of an approved scheme– currently The Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, British Activity Providers Association, Mountain Bike Instructors Award Scheme and British Association of Snowsport Instructors.

    Your membership organisation will explain their assessment process to you. 

       

      Timescale

      This will depend on the way you apply.  The Direct route and AALA top-ups can take up to at least 6-8 weeks. 

       

      How long is the LOtC Quality Badge valid ?

      The LOtC Quality Badge in the Adventurous Activities sector lasts for two years.

       

      Cost

      For assessments during 2024/25 – 

      • Direct route – £1005+VAT
      • Via an AAIAC Approved Scheme – £273+VAT plus your fees to your membership body
      • Top up to AALA – £615 +VAT 

      Plus an annual fee of £273 + VAT for the alternate years when no assessment takes place.