SCHOOLS, parents, teachers and governors in Worcestershire are being urged to make a new year's resolution for 2008 and pledge to offer their pupils a learning-outside-the-classroom experience in the coming year.

The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto (LOtC) is a partnership of hundreds of organisations who have all pledged support to offer young people high quality and inspirational real-world experiences that take place outside the classroom.

Members of the manifesto partnership are calling for parents and schools in the local area to get behind the initiative and make a pledge for 2008.

LOtC gives young people the opportunity to learn in different environments - breaking out of the traditional four classroom walls to learn in a range of locations including museums, historic house; theatres, field study and outdoor education centres and places of worship. Since its launch in November 2006 more than 800 schools, councils and organisations across the UK have signed the Manifesto and pledged their support.

Of those who have signed the manifesto, 200 have already made pledges detailing the kinds of learning opportunities they will pursue outside the classroom in the months to come.

The manifesto partnership wants to increase the number and range of learning experiences offered to all young people in 2008.

LOtC manifesto champion Peter Carne said: We're incredibly encouraged by the response of schools and organisations to date, but we would like even more people to get involved in 2008.

"Learning Outside the Classroom is an incredibly valuable experience and young people who get the chance to take part absolutely love it.

"Learning Outside the Classroom is about awe and wonder and the inspiration young people take away from learning in a really memorable place.

"We would like to see many more parents, schools and local organisations that have not already signed up to the manifesto to do so now."

All who support LOtC are invited to endorse the campaign by signing the manifesto and joining the manifesto partnership - the coalition of organisations working together to support and provide high quality LOtC experiences for young people.

For more information go to www.teachernet.gov.uk /learningoutsideclassroom/