The trustees of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom have announced the appointment of Kim Somerville as the interim head of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC).

Kim Somerville

Kim will take up the post on 10th May 2018 when CLOtC’s current chief executive Elaine Skates moves on to become the head of learning and skills with the Heart of England Forest.

“In excellent hands”

Kim has been working for CLOtC since 2016, leading the national campaigning work of the Learning Away Consortium to improve outcomes for children and young people; ensuring every child benefits from high quality residential learning experiences.

She brings to the role, over 15 years in senior leadership experience, working in the field of education and passionately championing the benefits of educational opportunities for all. 

Kim joined CLOtC having been the director of marketing & communications at Leeds Trinity for eight years, where she was responsible for growing the reputation of the university; increasing student recruitment; and working with schools and partners to widen participation to higher education.

Prior to this, she was the marketing manager at Leeds University Union, a charity that helps over 30,000 students love their time at university.

Journey of CLOtC

CLOtC’s chair of trustees, Anthony Thomas, said: “CLOtC has achieved a significant amount with Elaine as its chief executive…Kim’s commitment and experience aligns particularly well with CLOtC’s priorities and I have every confidence in Kim taking forward our key objectives.”

Elaine Skates

Pictured: Elaine Skates, who has been with CLOtC for ten years.

Elaine Skates commented: “I joined CLOtC when it was a brand new charity in 2009 and I have very much enjoyed being part of its establishment and growth. I leave CLOtC with an enormous sense of pride and a glad heart knowing that the organisation is in excellent hands for its next stage of development under Kim’s leadership.”

Kim said she was delighted to be appointed and said: “Elaine has been an inspiring person to work alongside and I feel privileged to be leading the charity into its tenth year. CLOtC has a dedicated team of staff and trustees who punch above their weight to make sure more children benefit from real world learning more of the time.

“I look forward to developing further the charity’s unique position to bring together schools who wish to take learning beyond their classroom walls and LOtC providers.”

For further information visit www.lotc.org.uk.