UK schools outdoor learning focus to be rewarded in new awards programme
Schools across the UK are being encouraged to showcase the use of their outside learning areas in a new awards programme designed especially for the sector.
The Pocca Awards, developed by outdoor canopy provider i2o Ltd, has been launched to recognise and reward education establishments using available outside space to inspire students and enhance learning.
Schools are invited to demonstrate their outdoor learning approach and highlight how innovative and creative they have been in utilising their outside space in four distinct categories.
1. Active learning outside: how outdoor learning space encourages physical activities outside such as balancing, PE, Games, Sport and Play.
2. Creative leaning outside: how outdoor learning areas are used to encourage creative activities such as Art, Music, Drama, Crafts, Food Technology.
3. Core learning outside: how outdoor learning areas enhance educational activities in core subjects such as English, Maths, History, music and reading.
4. Environmental learning outside: how an outdoor learning area supports environmental focuses such as nature activities or core subjects such as Science, Biology and Geography.
Speaking about the launch of this new awards programme, Managing Director of i2o Ltd Robert Carpenter said: “We are champions of outdoor learning and we know schools are too. Over the last 20 years, we have worked with schools across the country and continually see how passionate schools are about outdoor learning and the impact this has on students. We know that this is a community that can learn best practice from each other, recognise excellence in outdoor learning and provide inspiration for the future. We’re proud to support the sector and to develop the Pocca Awards programme to recognise the outdoor learning efforts and achievements of UK schools.”
i2o Ltd relaunched the trademarked brand name Pocca to the schools market in September 2017, to represent the canopy structures designed for the schools market. Pocca stands for Permanent Outdoor Covered Curriculum Area.
The Pocca Awards are open to any school or educational institution based in the UK that can demonstrate its outdoor learning excellence; with or without a canopy area. Nominations are expected from across the country and will be accepted until 5pm on Friday February 23rd 2018. An independent judging panel will review the entries to determine a shortlist. The shortlist will be announced in March 2018, with online voting to choose an eventual winner in each category. Winners will be announced in April 2018.
Interested schools that are keen to put themselves forward for the Pocca Awards can find out more and download a nomination form at www.poccaawards.co.uk .Further Pocca awards announcements will also be available throughout the nomination campaign from Pocca social media profiles on Twitter and Facebook.
