LOtC Quality Badge renewed

Posted by tdm-support on 01 Aug 2018

We’ve recently had our Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge renewed as a reflection of good quality educational provision that we deliver here at Lea Green.

9 things you should know about the LOtC Quality Badge

The LOtC Quality Badge is the only nationally recognised indicator of good quality educational provision AND effective risk management.
The award of the LOtC Quality Badge indicates that the provider understands schools’ needs and can tailor their offer to fit in with both current curriculum requirements and any specific requirements of the school.
The LOtC Quality Badge helps you to ensure you are making the best possible use of school time and that your young people will access good quality educational experiences – ideal when justifying LOtC to your senior management team or governors.
All types of provider organisation are subject to the same quality indicators and have to meet the same standards to achieve the award.
By looking for the LOtC Quality Badge when selecting where to take young people, you can be assured of quality and safety across all sectors, from museums and art galleries to farms, adventurous activities and expeditions overseas.
The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel endorse the LOtC Quality Badge and the majority of Local Authority Outdoor Education Advisers have indicated that they accept the award in place of some or all of their checks. You can view which Local Authority Outdoor Education Advisers support the LOtC Quality Badge by visiting the OEAP website.
The LOtC Quality Badge reduces the red tape associated with learning outside the classroom, thereby making it easier for teachers to ensure that all children will get the opportunity to have wider educational experiences.
There are currently around 1,000 providers who have been awarded the LOtC Quality Badge, so wherever you are in the UK, or wherever you want to take your young people, there is an accredited provider.
You can search for LOtC Quality Badge holders by area or by type, quickly and easily on the LOtC Quality Badge website.

Children in Need 2017

Posted by tdm-support on 21 Nov 2017

On Friday 17th November 2017 the team raised funds for BBC Children in Need. There was an eclectic mix of fancy dress from Oompa Loompas to a frog and some ravers who were reliving the 80s.

It’s a Lea Green tradition to have a charity bakeoff and the team lovingly produced some great quality cakes including some Pudsey faces and a Queen of Heart’s themed cake from apprentice Kelsey who dressed as Alice in Wonderland.

Through donations for wearing fancy dress and raffle tickets to win cakes from the bakeoff, the team are pleased to announce they raised £200 for BBC Children in Need!

Crowds joined us for Family Funfest 2017

Posted by tdm-support on 19 Jul 2017

The team at Lea Green Centre successfully organised sunshine for ‘Family Funfest’ on Sunday 16^th July, an event which saw over 300 visitors through the gates to take part in a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors who had made a saving by pre-booking arrived bright and early for the opening at 10am and wristbands were used for an authentic festival feel. Visitors travelled from as far as Sheffield and Burton on Trent including some groups arriving by minibus like Peak School.

Popular activities on the day included; the low ropes course, archery, bouldering in the cave, soft play, bushcraft and the high adrenaline activities like team swing and climbing tower. External suppliers who helped make the event a great start to the summer for families included; circus skills act Chango Fuego who was teaching children to walk on stilts and juggle, an inflatable castle and slide and Bugs ‘N’ Bones who gave people the opportunity to hold a snake or tarantula amongst other creatures! Lots of visitors took the chance to have their face painted, get a relaxing hand massage with Jo from Weleda skincare company and for refreshments there was a BBQ running on the day as well as lots of picnics taking place in shady spots.

Family Funfest acts as a showcase of Lea Green Centre and gives people a taster of activities at an affordable price. Visitors had the chance to find out about parties that can be booked at the centre, ask staff about team-building programmes, sign up for future bushcraft events and have a look around Meadow Lodge, the on-site accessible accommodation.

The team have received the following comments on the Lea Green Centre Facebook page:

“It was a fantastic day. First time we have been and would highly recommend it. Thank you for all the team’s hard work.”
“It was fantastic! We were sorry to leave at the end. All your team were so helpful and friendly. Thank you so much. A great day and well done for organising such nice weather.”
“What a fantastic day, for working parents it has been a real joy to be able to participate with children and have lots of fun.”

Keep an eye out for the next big event at Lea Green Centre!

Adventurer Bear Grylls visited us for Cubs day!

Posted by Joshua Marsh on 18 May 2015

Adventurer and Chief Scout Bear Grylls visited us on Saturday 16th May to join more than 300 Derbyshire Cub Scouts on their activity fun day.

Bear arrived via helicopter to have photographs taken with visitors, sign autographs and took on the adrenaline rush of our team swing with Scout Adam Hardy, of Chesterfield, who said: “That was a great experience, Bear is one of my heroes and to have shared the swing with him was great”.

More than 100 Scout groups were represented at the event, which also included buggies, climbing, teamwork exercises and campfire cooking.

Bear took the time to speak with Vice Chair of Derbyshire County Council Janet Hill who thanked him for attending on behalf of the young people who were clearly thrilled to meet with their hero. Councillor Hill said; “I was part of the volunteer team for the Disability Rocks festival which took place here recently and am once again delighted to see so many children and young people enjoying the activities on offer here and the wealth of opportunities this Derbyshire County Council centre provides.”

Tom Stoddart, County Commissioner for Derbyshire Scout Association said of Lea Green Centre: “Brilliant place to hold a large scale event. Friendly staff who could not do enough for us. Great day.”

Steven Judge, Cub Scout Leader and Local Media Relations Support Officer with The Scout Association, summed up the day for us: “It has been a great day for everyone involved and Bear took plenty of time to pose and speak with almost everyone who was here.”

View some photos in the ‘Events’ album in our Gallery

See coverage from the day on BBC East Midlands Today here