The fact that I am asking that question suggests that I actually do wonder if most parents grasp the change in thinking that has gone on in recent years with the adoption of the phrase, “Learning Outside the Classroom”.

My fear is that instead of seeing it as a significant step change from the way teaching and learning were thought about when they were at school, it is just seen as “more school trips”.

This is a shame because at the heart of Learning Outside the Classroom is the notion that experiences of the world beyond the classroom are an essential part of learning and personal development, which is vital for all children.

Of course, many parents do fully realise that it is completely untrue to say that the only learning of value is that which comes while sitting behind a desk, but I do think it is worthwhile to remind parents of the benefits of beyond the classroom education.

Fortunately it seems that Members of Parliament are themselves getting interested in the subject, and indeed just recently Baroness Susan Miller asked several questions in the House of Lords about Learning Outside the Classroom, including asking if the government has assessed the evidence of the impact it has had on attainment and social skills.

In reply the government said that the DfE had assessed the evidence of the impact on attainment, social skills and other outcomes and noted that Ofsted had reported that good quality education outside the classroom led to improved outcomes for pupils, including better achievement, standards, motivation, personal development and behaviour.

It also noted that the Education Endowment Foundation (funded by the DfE) found that outdoor adventure learning interventions consistently show positive benefits on academic attainment and wider outcomes such as self-confidence. The research found that, on average, pupils who participate in such activities appear to make approximately three months additional progress over the course of the year.

If you would like to see the government’s report it is here

Of course, in order to make such outside the classroom activities possible, transport needs to be arranged – which is where we come in.

Before the introduction of the easy leasing of minibuses, schools would often feel that it was necessary to wait for between three to five years before the necessary fund-raising could generate the amount needed for the school to buy a bus.

Now, with leasing all that needs be in place is the monthly leasing cost – which is known in advance and which includes all the regular maintenance costs of the bus.

Of course, such funding can come from the school funds, but if part of it is to come from fundraising from parents, then with leasing they will know that the bus is benefitting their children – rather than children who will attend the school in years to come.

What’s more, if they too can be shown the benefits of learning outside the classroom, they will also be ever more appreciative of what the school is doing for their sons and daughters.

If you’d like to know more about our range of minibuses, please take a look at our website – www.minibusleasing.co.uk/school-minibus.php

Alternatively, please do call us on 01753 859944 or email us at minibus@benchmarkleasing.co.uk