The benefits of AHOEC membership
A member of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres has access to:
A professional network
Access to a professional network created to enable sharing & influencing of strategies, views, opinions, developments and concerns within the outdoor education providers community, which can have a direct impact on future legislation, guidelines, support and service delivery.
Outdoor Education support
Access to a national and regional support network of senior managers within outdoor education who can provide advice and guidance on a wide range of issues; optional NAHT membership.
Good practice guidelines
Access to information sharing with key other outdoor education related bodies to ensure current and future good practice.
CPD opportunities
Access to high quality CPD opportunities through annual and half yearly conferences. These provide access to the best up to date information and advice and examples of good practice, as well as giving members the opportunity to influence the policy and direction of the Association.
Gold Standard
Access to the Gold Standard badge, which is a process designed to improve, develop and nationally recognise High Quality Outdoor Education for providers.
AHOEC representation
The AHOEC has representatives on the governing bodies of the main adventure sports and key organisations concerned with Outdoor Education.
The National Executive acts on behalf of members, responding to issues affecting the membership. Examples include:
- Working with the Learning Away legacy team to promote ‘Brilliant Residentials’
- The review of the AHOEC Gold Badge ensuring a defining award confirming high quality provision of Outdoor Learning.
- Working with AAIAC to contribute to the review of AALA, and HSE Review.
- Creating an all-new website with increased features and links.
- Working with the NAHT to promote LoTC.
- Engaging with NAHT to further improve benefits to AHOEC members.
- Working with the National Skills Academy on the introduction of an OEC management induction model.
- Engaging with Canoe England looking at the Coaching scheme, and its applicability to the world of outdoor education centres
- Working with EOC to raise the profile of Outdoor Education and secure an entitlement for all young people.
The National Association of Head Teachers
As the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC) is affiliated to the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) we would encourage you to include NAHT membership in your application to join the AHOEC. A common misconception is that you need to be in a school to join but membership is available to all leaders of outdoor education regardless of their organisations background.
Find out about the benefits of NAHT membership.
We hope that you find the benefits of membership to the AHOEC attractive.