THE education team at Hereford Cathedral have once again been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.

Every year thousands of school children from schools around the county, diocese and further afield visit the cathedral to take part in workshops, trails and events that offer an opportunity for learning beyond the classroom. These range from Tudor and Anglo Saxon days for primary school children (Key Stage 2), to conferences and discussion groups for older students (GCSE and Sixth Form students). The award means that the cathedral has passed a wide ranging assessment designed to ensure that schools' learning and risk management needs are met.

'I am delighted that we have once again been awarded the Quality Badge,' said Sarah Arrowsmith, the cathedral's head of schools and family learning. 'We have a team of dedicated volunteers, many of whom are retired teachers, who work hard to maintain the high standards of our school programmes. This award is a tribute to both them and the staff at the cathedral who make our work with schools such a vibrant part of the cathedral's work.'

'The Quality Badge is an assurance to teachers that the standard of Learning Outside the Classroom offered at the cathedral is high,' said Sarah.

The badge is awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. It is a national award that covers all types of learning provided by non-school based organisations including galleries, nature reserves, adventure centres and many other providers as well as cathedrals. If you would like to know more about bringing classes of school children to Hereford Cathedral, please contact the Education Department on 01432 374256, or email eductaion@herefordcathedral.org.