Outdoor education

Outdoor education would enable more social distancing for young people and enable them to continue in mainstream education whilst benefiting from being in an outdoor environment.

Why the contribution is important

Continued education is important for young people but being outdoors and benefiting from learning outdoors is important for mental health.

by mf on May 05, 2020 at 10:29PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 47 votes

Comments

  • Posted by MelLT May 06, 2020 at 00:33

    This is a good idea but not all schools would have the space or facility to do this.

  • Posted by mf May 06, 2020 at 20:41

    Local authorities should be able to have access to outdoor areas that would be suitable for outdoor learning if the school's don't have a suitable outdoor space.

  • Posted by CalumMcKerral May 07, 2020 at 14:20

    During the current COVID-19 pandemic when people’s choices are limited and there are restrictions on where people are allowed access, there has never been such a heightened appreciation of our “normal” freedoms, nature, Scotland’s inspirational landscape and liberating Outdoor Access laws. I believe that Outdoor Education has a vital part to play in Scotland’s recovery and specifically in preparing pupils for their new combination of attending school, online learning, home schooling and outdoor learning.

    During “lockdown”, there has been much said about the benefits to mental health and wellbeing by getting outdoors and physically exercising, These benefits are regularly cited when justifying Outdoor Education and although it may be some considerable time before Outdoor Education provision returns to its pre-COVID capacity, if ever, there is a valuable contribution that it can make with immediate effect. Like many other industries, the outdoor sector has been severely impacted by the current pandemic and there are a large number of providers who I’m sure would be very willing to aid in our country’s recovery.

    As identified on page 18 of your publication, “Covid-19: Framework for Decision Making Further Information” on 5th May 2020, groups like, “vulnerable pupils and pupils who are in transition, e.g. from P7 to S1”, should be prioritised whilst modelling a new approach to schooling for the foreseeable future. How this transition is managed is extremely important for a young person’s wellbeing, their sense of connection and belonging.

    Vulnerable pupils and pupils transitioning from primary to secondary school are two groups where Outdoor Education often has the greatest impact in establishing positive relationships, building trust and resilience.

    As and when the current restrictions ease, the outdoor specialists with the qualifications required to lead young people back out into our green spaces, expansive outdoor environment, hills and lochs could be fully utilised. Whilst schools are adapting to their lower daily capacity, other young people could be engaged in Outdoor Learning activities locally as well as facilitating more specialised Outdoor Education.

    Outdoor Education can play a key role in assisting our young people with this very significant transition in their lives from primary schooling to this new combination of secondary school, online learning, home schooling and outdoor learning.
    There will be parents who will have to rebuild their trust to allow their children to go back to school or nursery. What was once considered to be a safe place may no longer be seen as such. In order for us to reconnect, we need to build trust. Other than remaining at home, an outdoor space with sufficient physical distance between each other is one of our alternative “safe” places. Being outdoors is a new safe place for many people and this new relationship should be fully utilised.
    We will need to plan carefully together to ensure this time of reconnection to school is a time of recognising the emotional needs of the whole school community, ensuring children and their families feel welcomed back and looking forward with hope to new learning and renewed relationships.
    Outdoor Learning, Outdoor Education and Residential Outdoor Education could all have a significant part to play in reconnecting young people with peers, reconnecting with staff, reconnecting with learning, establishing new routines, new relationships, new support, new resilience and a new future.

  • Posted by TomTindale May 07, 2020 at 19:28

    Outdoor Education could work with a part time school rota with qualified instructors working with teachers to meet curriculum. Some of the larger council run centres and charities like Outward Bound could work to adapt there practice to meet the needs. An out reach style program with an instructor meeting students outside in their localality could reduce pressures on schools and parents wanting to get back to work.

    Outdoor Activities in general provide mental well being and fitness opportunities that can aid the NHS in the longterm.

    Also understanding and appreciating our environments could lead to better practice in the future.

    It should be a priority to get outdoor activities going whether it’s a small private business or a large outdoor education centre.

  • Posted by TimP May 08, 2020 at 10:21

    There should be a clear directive from Scottish Government to Local Education Authorites they should be using the outdoor areas they have as part of the back to school strategy. There are clear evidenced educational benefits to being outdoors including closing the attainment gap and mental and physical health benefits.

    As a large percentage of the school estate across Scotland is outside, utilising this space would increase the area available for social distancing. Although not all schools have outdoor areas most of them have access to near by outdoor spaces they can utilise.

    There will be a need for investment into the areas and equipement to create 'outdoor classrooms' which are suitable learning spaces. There is also a need to help the staff to work in a new way and to adapt to our new normal. Within each Local Education Authority there is a representative of the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE.org.uk) who have the skills and network to help with this.

    This strategy of using outdoor space could be utilised across all the phases of education.

    As well as allowing education to resume it will also create new, a possibly better, way of delivering education to our young people.

  • Posted by Peter1961 May 08, 2020 at 10:54

    Within education there is a general discussion of “halving class sizes”. There may be ‘opportunities’ for the outdoor sector is to consider “what happens to the other half of the class?” If attendances at schools are reduced, then continuing education through outdoor centres could be increased on a daily or weekly basis. This could be through residential programmes ( 3- 5 days away) with an focus on attaining curriculum outcomes through innovative outdoor learning approaches. There are many outdoor specialists in Scotland experienced in these approaches.

  • Posted by Peter1961 May 08, 2020 at 10:55

    The crisis and closure of schools followed by changes to education when schools re-open will impact on the educational agenda of closing the attainment gap with those from disadvantaged backgrounds less likely to participate in lessons at home. Outdoor activities are a good way of engaging with those deprived areas who struggle with mainstream education at the best of times, given the challenging times we will be entering the role of outdoor learning should have a more important role to play.

    Over the lockdown many people have taken to the outdoors for their daily exercise and many family groups are now exercising together, achieving distancing while participating in activity outdoors is far more achievable than indoors. This momentum for outdoor and family activity should be encouraged to continue through the provision and offerings from the outdoor sector.

  • Posted by HanSolo74 May 08, 2020 at 11:21

    Outdoor Education allows all streams of education to be explored. From science and nature through identifying flora and fauna. To looking at what materials are used to construct equipment being used. Outdoor education is a great opportunity for children to reingage with their surroundings and local environments. It encourages a healthy and active lifestyle.

  • Posted by KorenP May 08, 2020 at 15:34

    The outdoor classroom is a very dynamic learning environment for people no matter what their socio-economic background, with scope to be able to learn a variety of things from social skills in team exercises, to science when exploring the natural environment they're surrounded by.

    With more and more people taking the opportunity to spend time outside due to being locked down, it would be feasible to get young people outside learning and enjoying their time outdoors as well. Utilising outdoor educators and their classrooms during the return to schools could help with social distancing measures/bubbles, as well as trying to maintain young people's mental health during what will be a big change (initially perhaps) from the sort of schooling they may be used to. This could be great for creating a broader look at 'education' in the future, as outdoor learning is great for physical and mental health as well as providing experiential learning opportunities for those in inclusive outdoor learning classrooms. The addition of outdoor learning into the schools mainstream curriculum would be nothing but a positive in the future.

    Chan è dìreach sgilean sòisealta agus leasanan a leithid èic-eòlas a thigeas bho bhith ag ionnsachadh san clas a-muigh. Tha cothrom ann Gàidhlig a' chleachdadh, sgàth 's gur e cànan a' tha cho ceangailte ris ar fearran a th' innte. Tha comas ann òigridh an cànan ionnsachadh agus a' chleachdadh a-muigh, 's iomadh facal ann airson diofar rudan a thèid a' lorg ann an nàdar. Ged a tha sinn gu lèir san suidheachadh duilich seo, b' urrainn dhuinn gu lèir sùil a chuir air an t-àm ri teachd agus smaoineachadh air goireasan a leithid 'Outdoor Learning' airson ar cuideachadh nuair a thig an àm airson ar òigridh bhi tilleadh gu sgoiltean agus faoghlam.

  • Posted by HelenMacLeod May 08, 2020 at 22:40

    Outdoor learning can play a key role in the post Covid-19 world we are all facing. Since lockdown people have been appreciating the outdoors and it’s health benefits more than ever. Outdoor education does this everyday. Introduces young people to the outdoors, shows them how to enjoy it safely and teaches them how to communicate, be resilient, have empathy and work together along the way. These extended benefits of outdoor education are more important in young people now more than ever where they are facing a period of uncertainty.
    Outdoor education can support this transition by delivering outdoor learning in schools or in local outdoor spaces.

  • Posted by dnc May 09, 2020 at 09:31

    Outdoor education is the way forward

  • Posted by DrSeuss78 May 10, 2020 at 10:19

    Outdoor Learning could play a valuable role in facilitating a return to school for Children. The use of outdoor learning would maximise social distancing possibilities as well as introducing a generation to the mental health benefits to be gained from time and connection with the natural world.

  • Posted by GPryceDIckson May 10, 2020 at 12:03

    Outdoor learning instructors in local authorities should be employed again and more of them to support this educational move. Increasingly more teachers are seeing the benefits of outdoor learning as a pedagogy but outdoor specialists were all but done away with - bring them back alongside the Education Scotland outdoor learning vision

  • Posted by KieranT May 10, 2020 at 20:16

    I agree with many of the other comments here. I reiterate below some of what Calum said.

    As and when the current restrictions ease, the outdoor specialists with the qualifications required to lead young people back out into our green spaces, expansive outdoor environment, hills and lochs could be fully utilised. Whilst schools are adapting to their lower daily capacity, other young people could be engaged in Outdoor Learning activities locally as well as facilitating more specialised Outdoor Education.

    Outdoor Education can play a key role in assisting our young people with this very significant transition in their lives from primary schooling to this new combination of secondary school, online learning, home schooling and outdoor learning.

    There will be parents who will have to rebuild their trust to allow their children to go back to school or nursery. What was once considered to be a safe place may no longer be seen as such. In order for us to reconnect, we need to build trust. Other than remaining at home, an outdoor space with sufficient physical distance between each other is one of our alternative “safe” places. Being outdoors is a new safe place for many people and this new relationship should be fully utilised.

    We will need to plan carefully together to ensure this time of reconnection to school is a time of recognising the emotional needs of the whole school community, ensuring children and their families feel welcomed back and looking forward with hope to new learning and renewed relationships.

    Outdoor Learning, Outdoor Education and Residential Outdoor Education could all have a significant part to play in reconnecting young people with peers, reconnecting with staff, reconnecting with learning, establishing new routines, new relationships, new support, new resilience and a new future.

  • Posted by Alex2020 May 11, 2020 at 10:22

    Outdoor education, including residentials, is integral to the education, development, health and wellbeing of young people and as such every effort should be made to facilitate this. Outdoor education providers are well placed in terms of skill set, resources and experience to assist with the transition for schools and young people back into education post lockdown. It is vital that the government support outdoor education providers in Scotland such that the expertise and facilities are not a permanent loss as a result of this pandemic. More than ever our young people need to get outside, connect with nature, learn about sustainability and outdoor providers in Scotland can help make this happen safely.

  • Posted by MackayK May 11, 2020 at 12:37

    Outdoor Education is most probably one of the easiest ways that education can be adapted to meet social distancing protocol.

    The aftermath of Covid-19 on children's mental health and wellbeing is going to be significant. OE at its core helps build up that resilience that will be crucial going forward. It's also going to help with there physical health both of which will help to take the pressure of the NHS.

    There were many benefits to outdoor education before Covid-19 but the need for it, and the benefit that it can have fit directly into what will be lacking when we return now more than ever.

  • Posted by Ace May 11, 2020 at 13:03

    Outdoor activities/education can provide the health and wellbeing all people need not just children/young people.
    Outdoor activity providers from all sectors, local authority, social enterprises, private can add to the health and wellbeing services needed to help society readjust in these changing times.
    Open up the outdoors and allow activity providers to conduct there work taking into account regulations that alleviate peoples concerns.

  • Posted by Dixiedoo May 11, 2020 at 16:39

    I wholeheartedly agree with the points above. LA outdoor education staff, staff in the sector already experienced in outdoor learning, play workers, outdoor centres, forest school leaders, rangers could all be used to support early years centres and schools.
    Working with bubbles of family groupings, rather than year groups would also help to contain spread of COVID.

    Some of the hubs in Scotland have been in outdoor nurseries- Stramash, Earthtime and Auchlone I know have all been working as hubs. It would be great to get the perspective of children, parents and staff from these settings to help shape the way forward.

  • Posted by AlanSUScotland May 11, 2020 at 17:05

    The benefits of outdoor learning have been proven in numerous contexts and cultures. We have an opportunity not just to return Scotland to where it was before, but make outdoor education a cornerstone of our learning system.

    To enable this we must have at a minimum:
    Workable guidelines for schools, providers, and participants to enjoy this style of learning as soon as permissible. This may include transport and group accommodation guidance for out of school trips

    Investment and financial provision particularly in short term for providers who may not be able to operate for a year due to no fault of there own, but whom otherwise provide excellence within the sector.

    Wider recognition of the importance that outdoor learning has on young people's development. Potentially including subsidising longer residential experiences which can be out of reach for many families.

    Consideration under any lockdown review of how to allow "non-school" workers into school to deliver their expertise.

  • Posted by boggyrockboy May 11, 2020 at 19:36

    As we transition to a ‘new normal’ in education, then the benefits of learning outside and Outdoor Education (there is a difference!) are obvious. Learning Outside can just be taking a maths class outside and teaching them fractions in their jotter. Outdoor Education is where the outdoors is used as a medium, not a venue. Children will be able to learn through the natural environment while social distancing. You can learn about fractions by using natural objects rather than pen and paper for example. Which do you think is more tangible and memorable?

    There are obvious fears that the ‘class of 2020’ as they will be known will have lost out on their education, albeit temporarily. That said, children who do have access to nature and the outdoors in this current period will hopefully have taken time to notice their immediate surroundings and enjoy it. Those who have been denied this pleasure will enjoy being outside, exploring and discovering nature again.

    Outdoor Education encourages resilience, a ‘can do’ attitude and has been clearly shown to increase children’s confidence in themselves. There has never been a better time to do this.

    The residential outdoor education industry was already under threat before Covid-19. This is a time for the government to recognise it’s value, support the benefits that it brings and help make Scotland “the best place in the world for a young person to grow up”

  • Posted by KatieS May 11, 2020 at 21:50

    The Scottish Government, through Education Scotland, has placed significant value on the importance of outdoor learning as being integral to every child’s development. Scotland is one of very few countries which considers the use of the outdoor environment essential when delivering its education curriculum. It is crucial therefore that it is part of the solution when considering next steps in overcoming the challenges of Covid-19.

    Outdoor education does much more than enable our young people to engage with and respect the natural environment - through learning in the outdoors they are able to develop personally and socially, learn life skills, build self-belief, resourcefulness and resilience - all qualities that are increasingly important in our current global climate.

    As schools are required to explore new ways of work, partnered with the fact that outdoor spaces are currently considered some of the ‘safest’ learning environments, it seems the next logical step that outdoor education and therefore outdoor educators should be involved in that solution.
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