Four schools within Meridian Trust have been awarded the Gold Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Mark in recognition of their outstanding commitment to embedding high-quality learning experiences beyond the classroom into everyday school life.
Ely College, Nene Park Academy, North Cambridge Academy and NeneGate School have all achieved the highest level of the award, presented by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC).
The LOtC Mark is a national award which recognises schools, and other educational settings that successfully embed learning outside the classroom across curriculum, culture and policy. It celebrates schools that provide rich and inspiring opportunities for students to learn both indoors and outdoors, on and off-site, through experiences such as educational visits, cultural activities, residentials, visiting speakers and community engagement.
The awards reflect the Meridian Trust’s wider vision of “Extending the Boundaries of Learning”, ensuring that all young people benefit from a breadth of experiences through and beyond the curriculum. Across the Trust, LOtC is embedded strategically to support not only academic achievement, but also confidence, resilience, wellbeing and personal development of every student.
Research highlighted by CLOtC shows that high-quality learning beyond the classroom can improve engagement, motivation, wellbeing and social development, while helping young people develop stronger connections with the world around them.
Sara Foster from Nene Park Academy said: “We are incredibly proud to have retained our Gold LOtC Mark. It reflects our continued commitment to developing high-quality learning outside the classroom opportunities for all students.
“These experiences help develop confidence, resilience, independence and teamwork, while improving engagement, communication skills and cultural awareness. The award recognises a culture of active, inclusive and inspiring learning that continues to grow year on year.”
Jason Coe from Ely College said: “We are proud of the rich variety of opportunities we offer, from extracurricular activities to international visits and trips. Since achieving our previous Silver award, we have continued to strengthen our provision and invest in staff training to ensure students benefit from purposeful, high-quality and safe learning experiences beyond the classroom.”
Since 2024, 25 Meridian Trust schools have been awarded the LOtC Mark at different levels, with all 36 schools in the Trust aiming to achieve the Mark by 2027. Their whole trust approach to learning beyond the classroom represents an outstanding example of a multi-academy trust working at scale with the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom to develop a consistent culture of LOtC across all their schools, benefitting not only students, but also staff and the wider community.
Jason continues: “Meridian Trust has become a leading example of how learning outside the classroom can be embedded across a whole trust. The latest Gold awards build on the Trust’s growing success with the LOtC Mark and demonstrate the impact of collaboration, shared vision and long-term commitment to enriching education for all young people.”
Martin Campbell, Executive Principal at Meridian Trust, added:
“LOtC plays a vital role in helping our young people develop the confidence, resilience and wider skills they need to thrive. We are incredibly proud that four more of our schools have achieved the Gold LOtC Mark, recognising the outstanding commitment of staff to providing enriching experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. As a Trust, one of our core values is ‘Extending the Boundaries of Learning’, and these awards are a fantastic example of that in action, creating opportunities that broaden horizons, enrich education and help every young person realise their potential.”
