Let the children go out to learn (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Let the children go out to learn

10:12am Friday 12th January 2007 in

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A CAMPAIGN to urge teachers to take children on more school trips has the support of Leyton MP Harry Cohen.

The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, signed by more than 100 public sector bodies, private companies, local authorities and teaching organisations, calls for school trips to become a more integral part of school life.

The manifesto was launched after concerns that some teachers were now reluctant to take children on school trips because of fears of legal action if something went wrong.

Mr Cohen said: "Don't you remember the excitement of school trips as a child, the first time you saw the huge dinosaur skeletons in the Natural History Museum and got an inkling of the world as it was millions of years ago? Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as a normal part of going to school.

"They are the most memorable learning experiences and help us to make sense of the world around us and stay with us into adulthood."

Earlier this year the Association of School and College Leaders said that the Government should do more to cut bureaucracy and protect institutions from the threat of litigation.

The manifesto pledges to help schools, local authorities and other organisations to manage school trips more safely and efficiently.

Mr Cohen said: "The manifesto is about cutting red tape but not cutting back on safety precautions.

"I'm going to do my personal bit to help this, to pledge to take school groups around Parliament and give local pupils the chance to do work experience in my office.

"I urge all local community groups to play their part too."

Top achievers

HIGH achieving children have been rewarded with trophies for their hard work and success in a school ceremony.

South Grove Primary School children were nominated by their teachers for a series of head teacher's awards and this year two new trophies were created.

The Mike Cook Memorial Award, in memory of former head Mike Cook, was presented to Aishah Javed, a Year 5 pupil, to commend his attendance, behaviour, hard work and achievement.

Former information and communication technology technician Brendan McGranaghan was also remembered with a special award, which was presented to Grace I'Anson, a Year 6 student who excels at ICT.

Maureen Reardon, head teacher at the school in Ringwood Road, Walthamstow, said: "It is a fitting tribute to Mike and Brendan's contribution to South Grove that an award should be given which will inspire children to achieve."

Healthy foundation

CHINGFORD Foundation school is officially one of the healthiest in the borough.

The school is one of 8,400 schools across the country to have been awarded National Healthy School Status from its local authority, an award brought in recently by the Government to encourage good health at school.

School meals, personal, social and health education (including drugs education and sex and relationships education), physical education and emotional health and well-being (including bullying policies) were assessed in the scheme.

The mixed comprehensive says quality of meals has improved since it employed outside catering form Harrisons, while there is a "robust" programme of PSHE and an "excellent" record of physical activity.

Head teacher Clive Moore praised the work of deputy head Carol Smith, who was involved with the council's education provider EduAction to bring about the award.