 | OUTDOOR EDUCATION |
| The Outdoor Education Unit was established in April 2003 following recommendations issued by the DCSF in August 2002. We are here to advise and support LEA Schools and Youth Centres on all issues relating to Educational Visits. Read more about our Unit here. For details of the next EVC training date - click here |
 | KCC's ONLINE NOTIFICATION & APPROVAL SYSTEM FOR OFFSITE VISITS |
| Kents online notification and approval system for offsite visits has now gone live for schools! For further guidance and information, visit the E-go information page. |
| OUT-OF-COUNTY VISITS | CURRENT HOT TOPICS |
| From 1st September 2007 KCC requires NOTIFICATION of non-adventurous day visits to locations outside of Kent. Schools and the Youth Service can use the e-go online system to enter these notifications. Visits that include an overnight stay and/or adventurous activities must obtain KCC approval via the e-go online system as per current guidance | LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM The Government has now launched the Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom. Click here to view the document detailing KCC's support for the LOtC Manifesto. Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances. |
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | |
| The following FAQ's document provides answers to many of the questions that we are asked on a regular basis. | |
| LEA APPROVAL PROCESS GUIDANCE | NEWS |
| ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL EDUCATIONAL VISIT CO-ORDINATOR'S (EVC'S) AND VISIT LEADERS APPROVAL SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES FOR SCHOOLS AND YOUTH & COMMUNITY Approval Process Guidance – click here The following flowchart has been produced as an aid to understanding and following the LEA's Approval Process. Please use and distribute it as neccessary. LEA Approval Process Flowchart – click here | GEOGRAPHY IN SCHOOL - CHANGING PRACTICE NEWS ARCHIVE |
| VETTING OF PROVIDERS | |
| One of our main roles is to confirm that any providers you are using for adventurous activities or residential accommodation meet KCC's requirements. The document below identifies and explains the checks that we carry out. |
| LINKS TO KCC OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRES |
| For further information about our Centres please 'click' on the links. For details about availability and costs please contact the Centres directly. The Outdoor Education Unit does not manage the Centres and so can not provide you with this information. |
 | Horton Kirby Environmental Education Centre The main aim of this centre is to support teachers of all key stages in delivering the National Curriculum, particularly science, geography and history, through providing pupils with practical experience of the natural and built environment around Horton Kirby and the nearby Darent Valley. | |
 | Canterbury Environmental Education Centre Canterbury Environmental Education Centre utilises the Broad Oak Nature Reserve as a teaching resource and each year attracts some 5,000 to 10,000 visitors from schools, colleges and adult groups. Many of the requirements of the National Curriculum for Science, Geography, ICT, Art, Literacy and Numeracy are addressed by the schemes of work offered. The centre also has an important role to play in the governments Lifelong Learning initiative, through adult education. | |
 | Lullingstone Country Park Situated in the Darent Valley within the Kent Downs AONB, Lullingstone Country Park is an ideal place for pupils to gain practical experience and a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. With areas of woodland & grassland, the River Darent and a purpose-built pond/wildlife area, there’s a lot to explore at Lullingstone. The Visitor Centre has a purpose-built classroom that provides shelter from wet weather, allowing visits to take place all year round. A full-time education officer runs an environmental education programme supporting the National Curriculum, particularly in science, geography and history at key stages one and two. | |
 | The Swattenden Centre The Swattenden Centre is an outdoor education and residential centre located near the historic town of Cranbrook. Users include schools and youth organisations. However, it is also ideal as a training centre combining conference facilities with team building and management development courses. | |
 | Bewl Water Outdoor Centre Bewl Water is truly an outstanding venue for outdoor education and activity courses. Set in the Weald of Kent, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is the largest area of inland water in the South East and easily the most picturesque. Coupled with the stunning natural rock outcrop at Harrison's Rocks we have the perfect locations for a variety of activities. | |
 | Kent Mountain Centre Located in North Wales the Kent Mountain Centre provides outdoor adventurous activities for young people within a residential setting. We aim in particular, to demonstrate how Outdoor Education can provide a special contribution through a cross-curricular approach to the delivery of the whole curriculum. We also provide an ideal base for a structured curriculum based course, particularly for field studies topics. | |
 | Kearsney Campsite Situated on the outskirts of Dover in a quiet rural setting, with access to a full size football pitch, large shower and toilet block and a maximum capacity of 120 people. With the recent addition of a new toilet block we are now wheelchair accessible. We operate exclusively for any organisation working with or for young people. For further information please contact Archers Court Youth Centre on (01304) 828262 | |