Centre for Life is accredited by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom with their Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, but I was worried to find out this week that they’d also given this status to the Noah’s Ark Zoo – a creationist outfit near Bristol, so I wrote to them expressing my concerns that we are put on a par with such a dubious body, and got this reply
“Dear Mr Simmon, s
Many thanks for your email concerning the recent award of the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge to Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.
The criteria for awarding the LOtC Quality Badge are that the organisation must offer good quality learning outside the classroom and manage risk effectively. The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom is very committed to equality and we will award the Quality Badge to an organisation that can demonstrate that it meets these criteria; past awards have included Interfaith Kirklees and Canterbury Cathedral without any implied endorsement of their religious base.
CLOtC believes that an important aim of learning outside the classroom is allowing children and young people access to education that challenges assumptions and allows them to experience a range of viewpoints; giving them the tools needed to be proactive in their own learning.
CLOtC is an independent charity and I would like to stress that the operation of the LOtC Quality Badge scheme receives no government funding.
Kind Regards
Amy”
Which concerns me even more, such that I am considering asking to be delisted, as I think giving them a stamp of providing ‘good quality education’ devalues us by association, if any of your organizations are LOtC registered and share my concern I would urge you to make it known to them – their website is
http://www.lotc.org.uk/The-LOTC-quality-badge/The-LOTC-quality-badge
IAN
Ian Simmons
Science Communication Director
Centre for Life
Management Suite
Times Square
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4EP
Tel: +44191 2438250
Fax: +44191 2438201
Email: [log in to unmask]
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