Use of Outdoor Education to help pupils to get back to school
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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 well-being 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 well-being, 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.
During “lockdown”, there has been much said about the benefits to mental health and well-being 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 well-being, 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.
Why the contribution is important
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 re-connection 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.
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 re-connection 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.
by CalumMcKerral on May 07, 2020 at 01:06AM
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