UK education charity warns PM of outdoor learning ‘risk’

Mark Castle, chief executive of charity Field Studies Council, has urged the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson to improve funding to schools so they don't loose out on valuable outdoor learning experiences.

In an open letter, Castle welcomed Boris' vision for better education but urged him to make it a matter of ‘greater urgency’. He wrote: “As an environmental education charity, FSC is already seeing the direct negative impact of school funding pressures with children missing out on outdoor learning residentials.”

“Those that would benefit most, often have the least opportunity to explore the natural world and experience first-hand an inspiring environment that is so different from home.

“Outdoor learning and residentials in particular deliver so many benefits both for the individual, for our society and the economy.”

Castle pointed out that outdoor learning helps to engage learners in hands on, practical science and STEM activities from an early age with added ‘fun’ and ‘unpredictability’ outside of the classroom.

In his letter, he also stressed the importance of such opportunities in helping to develop social and personal skills, independence, risk taking and resilience as well as highlighting the many health and well-being benefits.

He wrote: “These valuable experiences are at risk when school funds are under pressure. As you work towards delivering better education and closing the opportunity gap, it is essential that all learners can benefit from outdoor residentials, not just those that can afford it.”

FSC operates a network of field study centres across the UK and Ireland providing environmental education to schools, colleges and universities and on average welcomes around 165,000 visitors a year across all its locations.