From: School Trip Advisor News: http://www.schooltripadvisor.com/news
A popular school trip residential centre is facing an uncertain future.
The Hornsea Outdoor Residential Centre has been owned by Wakefield Council since
1938 and has been used by local schools for residential trips for many years.
But the council’s Lifelong Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee have been asked to look at what should be done with the seaside centre amid fears that it is no longer providing value for money.
A report to the committee says: “The centre has to be viable and provide value for money for schools, families and the local authority, and increasingly has to be fit for purpose in a modern setting.
“Although the centre is well utilised by local schools, it is also suggested that there are a significant number of schools in the district that do not use it.
“This along with a difficult economic climate and current financial pressures adds weight to the speculation around the centre’s future viability.”
Youngsters visiting the centre have taken part in activities including hiking and star-gazing.
Members of the committee have been to the centre to see what it has to offer.
Coun Monica Graham, committe chairman, said: “During our visit to Hornsea we were told that many schools value the centre and the facilities it provides. However, the centre has to be viable and provide value for money.”
She added that educational visits are “among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life” and said the committee is keen that schools take advantage of the opportunities that learning outside the classroom provides.
At next week’s meeting, the committee will be considering options for the future use of the Hornsea Centre and making recommendations to the council’s cabinet.
Published Date: December 2009
By Stuart Robinson – The Yorkshire Evening Post
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Wakefield-Future-of-school-trip.5885905.jp
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