LADY Lumley’s School in Pickering has been awarded a top national prize for its inspiring and exciting approach to get children learning outside the classroom.

The Learning Outside the Classroom Awards for Excellence and Innovation 2011, sponsored by Learning through Landscapes, recognise educational establishments that are committed to providing hands-on, real-world experiences beyond the classroom walls that have a positive impact on young people and bring lessons to life.

Lady Lumley’s competed against nearly 200 schools from across the country to demonstrate how a range of activities broaden pupils’ horizons and make learning memorable, engaging and, most importantly, fun.

Ten-mile hikes to raise money for the school, expeditions to Morocco to support community work, building and firing rockets in design and technology, and a history-based canoe safari down the River Ouse were just some of the activities that saw Lady Lumley’s School receive the award for Best LOtC Provision in the secondary schools category.

Headteacher Richard Bramley said they were thrilled to have been recognised with this award.

“Everyone at the school is committed to providing regular LOtC experiences for all our students, whether it is in our school grounds, in the local community or on educational visits further afield,” he said.

The LOtC Awards for Excellence and Innovation were presented at a reception in Shropshire last week.

Beth Gardner, chief executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, which hosts the awards, said: “A huge congratulations to Lady Lumley’s School for winning this award.”