Dorset Education for Sustainability Network. Learning Out of School

	Learning Out of School

'Learning out of school is vital in developing the motivation to learn and to continue learning for its own sake.' 23

What is the role of learning in organised out of school locations?

Out of school learning has a distinct and vital role to play in developing democratically competent and responsible members of society:

·	Giving people the opportunity to choose what they learn and how they learn it.
·	Providing opportunities for praise - the key to progress.
·	Broadening horizons and exciting the imagination.
·	Offering the benefits of individuals choosing to learn and to achieve.
·	Linking enthusiastic learners with enthusiastic teachers.
·	Developing all round competence and intelligence.
·	Enabling people to discover talent and find success.

'Education for Sustainable Development is about developing pupil's skills and confidence as informed and active citizens. It has to involve pupils and take learning beyond the classroom to show that they can change things for the better'.

Ref: 'Lessons in Life - Sustainable development Education', By Phil Brook pub.by Shell Education on behalf of CEE, FSC, SEEC, WWF-UK

Dorset County Council is committed to extending the range of out of school learning opportunities through the following provision:

·	The Dorset Youth and Community Service
·	Dorset Outdoor Education Service
·	Dorset Music Service
·	Schools Museum Service
·	Summer schools
·	Access to the environment and a wide range of resources and learning opportunities through Countryside Access and Heritage.

Learning out of school adds value to the education process and allows individuals to succeed. Research shows that for every failure experienced by the learner there must be at least three successes. Learning out of school increases the
praise : blame ratio for all. 23