News and Media: Launch of the Quality Badge Programme

05 November 2008



Learning outside the Classroom is becoming an integral part of the Schools Curriculum and whether it is a lesson outside in your school grounds or a residential visit to a Learning outside the Classroom provider, young people benefit from the hands-on experiences and challenges involved.

In October the planned Learning outside the Classroom Quality Badge Programme was launched and the first badges will be issued in January 2009. This initiative will ensure that every learning outside the classroom experience with a badged provider is of the highest quality and realises the learning outcomes and enrichment opportunities your group require, all within a safely managed environment.

The PGL centres Winmarleigh Hall and Caythorpe Court were used as pilots for the scheme and contributed towards the development of the Quality Badge programme in conjunction with the British Activity Holiday Association.

The experiences gained on a school trip go far beyond the academic - including raising self confidence, self esteem and motivation. A residential trip motivates and inspires young people and contributes towards helping your school attain the Every Child Matters outcomes. PGL courses have been designed to reinforce and specifically support the five ECM stated aims.

Through the Quality Badge programme you can be confident that recognised providers fulfil all the necessary criteria as laid down by the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families), thereby better enabling you to manage visits safely, efficiently and beneficially. The new Quality Badge Programme will help schools identify organisations and venues, offering high quality teaching and learning experiences that manage risk effectively.

News

PGL Statement regarding A/H1N1v
A statement from PGL regarding A/H1N1v (Swine flu)

Learning Outside the Classroom School Awards 2009
Is your school a candidate for the LotC School Awards?

LotC Schools Photo Competition
Win a camera in this schools photo competition organised by the NAHT and Outdoor Education Centres.

Steffan Griffiths Sponsorship
PGL's newest sponsorship - semi-professional rugby player Steffan Griffiths. 

PGL Liddington - opening in 2010!
PGL Liddington - new centre opening in May 2010

Windmill Hill - our newest centre!
Our newest centre Windmill Hill in East Sussex is now open!

Our Summer Camps Reviewed!
PGL Summer Camps were recently reviewed in the Times - see what they had to say!

Diversity Dance to Victory!
Learn from the professionals and street dance like Diversity!

Josh Wedgwood Sponsorship
PGL sponsored athlete Josh Wedgwood comes 2nd place in the under 15's 'Youth Freestyle Series Llangollen 2009' beating two GB team members!  

GirlGuiding Leader Preview weekends - New Dates!
New dates now available for GirlGuiding Leaders to preview their local PGL centre.

Helen Barnes selected for European Championships
PGL sponsored athlete Helen Barnes has been selected for the European Championships.

LOtC Quality Badge Scheme
PGL Ski have been awarded the Quality Badge by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

Going to the World Championships!
PGL sponsored athlete Lowri Davies has made it to the 2009 GB Freestyle Kayaking Team!

PGL Centre investments
We've had a very busy Winter with our centre improvements programme!

Great Value Activity Weekends for Groups
Great value activity weekends for Uniformed Groups - save on brochure prices!

Sports Colleges Innovation and Recognition Awards 2009
Park High Sports College wins the PGL award for engaging families, parents and carers.

Motivate the girls at PGL!
New dates for our Dance, Football, Netball and Cheerleading weekends for girls. 

Good Snow & Great Fun!
A big thank you to the fantastic teachers who attended our Christmas and New Year Ski Previews!

Discover France from £199
Bringing French language to life for your class at our château in Normandy!

Launch of the Quality Badge Programme
The Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge Programme gives confidence to schools in choosing a school trip provider.

Make the Most of Your Activity Week!
Make Activity Week 2009 a real high with PGL - great value multi-activity courses in the UK, France and Spain!

Ready, Steady, Win - Sporting Bursaries
PGL were delighted once again to sponsor the Herefordshire ‘Ready Steady Win’ bursaries.

Curriculum Changes and Your PGL Educational Trip
What effect do the changes to the National Curriculum have on the content of PGL study courses?

National School Sports Week
Dame Kelly Holmes and 'Spartan' from Gladiators meet the PGL chicken at the Grantham School Sports Week events!

Sport Tournament Dates for 2009
Following the success of our Secondary School Football and Netball Tournaments, here are the dates for our 2009 tournament schedule.

New PGL Centres for 2009 and 2010
Presenting Liddington in Wiltshire, Winmarleigh Hall in Lancashire, Windmill Hill in Sussex, Lou Valagran in the Ardèche and Albatros on the Atlantic Coast!

PGL Sponsorship of Helen Barnes
One of our sponsored canoeists has been selected for the Irish Olympic team for Beijing 2008!

RFU announce PGL Club of the Year
Paviors RFC have been named PGL Club of the Year in the Rugby Football Union's Seal of Approval awards.

Dance Workshop Weekends - New Dates
PGL teams up with FitPro™ to offer Dance Workshop Weekends to schools and groups for girls in years 7 - 11.

Kelly Holmes & Norwich Union GirlsActive at PGL
Dame Kelly Holmes is back at PGL with Norwich Union GirlsActive - inspiring girls to get active and enjoy exercise!

Congratulations to the Scouts on their 100th Anniversary!
PGL were at the Scout Jamboree - thanks to all the Scouts who made us feel so welcome!

PGL purchased by Holidaybreak PLC
We are delighted to announce that Holidaybreak PLC have now purchased The PGL Group.

Living History - Themed Tours for KS2
Themed History Tours for Key Stage 2 pupils.

Youth Sports Trust Innovation Awards
PGL @ The Youth Sport Trust Innovation Awards ceremony for Sports Colleges across the country.

Kelly Holmes supports the School Sports Initiative
Kelly Holmes revives girl power for the School Sports Initiative 

Sponsorship for Olympic hopeful
PGL have agreed a three year sponsorship for aspiring Champion Canoeist Andrew Hadfield.

Supporting Healthier Eating Habits
Our menus have changed - encouraging young people to improve their diets and incorporating the ‘5 a day’ guidelines. 

Teacher Preview Dates - for 2009
Come and see your preferred centre, course or destination in action and try out the adventure activities for yourself!