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Hi Ian

My feelings on this are mixed.

Whilst a creationist approach isn't for me, nor is it something I would want my own child brought up to believe, I don't believe it is LOTC's intention or even their place to censor educational provision and make judgement calls on behalf of teachers, families or children.

LOTC as a scheme does have some flaws, as do pretty much any educational scheme I've ever known (one size cannot fit all and there are never enough resources to do everything absolutely properly). But I do believe in people being able to make their own choices, in fact they have a legal and moral entitlement to it.

So whilst I do absolutely see (and on a personal level agree with) your point, I would be much more annoyed with / by LOTC if they started to endorse some organisations over other ones, that would be a very slippery slope and I would be upset if we found ourselves in such a position as to live in a country where the educational system does not allow for varied perspectives.

Sally

Sally Fort
Consultant: cultural projects
www.sallyfort.com

From: Ian Simmons <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, 27 July, 2010 11:49:45
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Council for Learning Outside the Classroom

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
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