A PRIMARY school in Bolton believes learning outside the classroom is as important as having pupils sitting behind their desks.

Eatock Primary School is one of only a handful of schools to be awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge Gold Award.

The nationally recognised accreditation celebrates organisations that provide learning experiences outside the classroom, for example visits to museums, art galleries, adventure centres, nature reserves and many other venues.

The school in Westhoughton is graded outstanding by Ofsted. The curriculum is described as one which “really excited pupils and contributes to their enjoyment of learning”.

Ann Flannery, headteacher, said: “I am thrilled that the school’s curriculum has been nationally recognized via the LOtC Gold Award.

"Learning outside the classroom helps our children relate what they learn in the classroom to the world around them and really brings learning to life.”

The school organises an array of trips including to the ballet, theatre and art galleries.

And it has developed its outdoor area, which includes two outside classrooms and an outdoor stage, as well as a wildlife area, all of which complement children’s studies behind a desk.

The impact of the outdoor learning environment was recognised by Ofsted inspectors.

They said: “The magical woodland and outdoor provision contribute enormously to the way pupils understand and enjoy their learning.”

Inspectors added: “Teachers make extensive and constant use of a fabulous woodland area, where pupils have the opportunity to learn about many things, such as minibeasts, measuring angles within the shapes of branches, lying in the long grass to find inspiration for a poem or going on a ‘letters and sounds hunt’.

“The use of the outdoors also makes a powerful contribution to pupils’ learning.”

The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom is the managing and overall awarding body for the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge.

It is a national charity which promotes learning outside the classroom so all children and young people can benefit from increased opportunities for high quality and varied educational experiences. It champions learning outside the classroom and encourages young people to get out and about. Research shows that youngsters learn best through real life experiences.