CurriculumDevelopment

Project

March 2011

consistency of teaching.ABSTRACTThis project explores the place of

ACTIONCurriculum for Excellence in the outdoor The vast variety of outdoor activities classroom at Lendrick Muir. A critical review available at the centre were all closely of current practice in this area has observed then written into formal lesson highlighted changes in school and policy plans which included outcomes, learning perspectives pertaining to the inclusion of intentions, success criteria, resources and outdoor education as an integral part of assessment methods as well as a session school learning. This project, therefore plan.attempts to assess and make provision for

the changes Curriculum for Excellence These lesson plans were the basis for demands. Further to this the project sets discussion amongst instructional staff and out the next stage for educational helped to build an understanding of development at the centre, in order to instructors' knowledge of Curriculum for maintain a high standard of educational Excellence. It was identified that, although provision to keep Lendrick Muir leading the there was a general awareness that the way, as an outdoor education provider. curriculum has been undergoing changes,

little was known about the principles INTRODUCTIONunderpinning the new curriculum; what Outdoor Education has seen a recent this looked like in practice and how this upsurge in popularity in schools and related to the ethos of Lendrick Muir as a greater support from the Scottish Christian Centre.Executive, as an integral part of the learning

process which can add value to learning Training was then undertaken with all

not available within a school setting. In the instructional staff with the aims of:

recent publication 'Curriculum for Ÿ Understanding the biblical principles Excellence through outdoor learning' the for educationScottish Executive highlights the necessity Ÿ Understanding instructors' role in for residentials as part of learning. schools work

Ÿ Learning more about Curriculum for The school's team at Lendrick Muir set out a Excellenceproject to improve the quality of

A uniformity of thinking was brought educational provision at the centre for about by this time of reflection and schools. The aim was to link the learning discussion of the key aspects of the that takes place during activity sessions curriculum, most important of which was with Curriculum for Excellence by that outdoor education has the capability identifying the experiences and outcomes of raising attainment in all four capacities.achieved and writing these into a resouce

pack. These could then be used by teachers This period of discussion also highlighted as part of their planning process prior to a the intricacies of some of the activities visit but also by the centre instructors to available; the many resources which can be clarify learning intentions and maintain chosen to be used for session, the need for

Cu

rric

ulu

m D

ev

elo

pm

en

t P

roje

ct

Cu

rric

ulu

m D

ev

elo

pm

en

t P

roje

ct

Cu

rric

ulu

m d

ev

elo

pm

en

t p

roje

ct

Cu

rric

ulu

m d

ev

elo

pm

en

t p

roje

ct

educational experience for children coming this learning, instructors need to maintain a to the centre with a school: Teachers, high level of quality feedback and review therefore, are the main target audience for techniques.the written product of the project. It was

In the longer term, we need to remain important to gain feedback from teachers, abreast of current legislation, passing this in the first instance, which knew the centre information on to instructors as required. and understood how we worked but who Finally, we need to keep the information would not be afraid to be honest with us. The within the teacher's pack up to date, feedback was incredibly positive “the including new material as our range of outcomes are so easy to reference in a activities expands.teacher's planning” and “good examples of

lesson plans – teachers know you are on NEXT STEPStheir wavelength with that”. However the To finalise this project we will publish the main criticism was that these documents information and make this available to were bland and consequently a little hard to prospective teachers to aid their planning follow. This led to a major overhaul of the and preparation prior to a residential activity presentation; ease of access is essential if we break.want to use this to attract new schools to the

We will also continue to be open to further centre. A pack has now been constructed of responses and feedback from teachers all materials including an introduction, wherever possible.overview, experiences and outcomes.

CONCLUSIONOnce a new pack had been put together we This project has already dramatically began to pilot this with a local school, increased the awareness of Curriculum for inviting them to come along and try out Excellence within Lendrick Muir. We hope some activities on a regular basis. This that this will only increase as we put our provided us with further feedback from a plans into action, as learning becomes variety of teachers. We were also able to embedded into the nature of delivery of evaluate the children's learning, gaining residential activity breaks.evidence to support what we believed they

could be learning.

IMPLICATIONSThis project has both short and longer implications for Lendrick Muir activity centre: we need to ensure that all instructors are familiar with the information within the resource pack and use this in their school's sessions. In order to deepen the impact of