Liz Smith

The Scottish Conservative MSP believes that outdoor education is one of the most valuable and rewarding aspects of the learning experience and that it should be available to all young people irrespective of their background.

The proposed legislation will place a requirement on all local authority and grant-aided schools to make provision for all 12-16 year olds to experience at least one week of residential outdoor education in their school career.

The consultation period will run until July 22nd 2022.

Ms Smith said: “I firmly believe that residential outdoor education should be on offer to all young people. There is well-established and compelling evidence which shows just how much these experiences can increase self-esteem, self-reliance, confidence and resilience.

“They help young people to know what it means to be part of a team, to learn leadership skills and the importance of valuing friendship, and they connect them to the natural environment.

“Bearing in mind the impact of the pandemic on young people, when there is growing national concern about young people’s physical and mental wellbeing, the benefits of residential outdoor education cannot be overstated.

“Furthermore, the fact that many children from some of the more deprived areas do not get the same opportunities as their counterparts elsewhere, residential outdoor education should be a key part of the curriculum.

“I am therefore delighted to be launching the consultation period ahead of what I believe will be an important piece of new legislation.”

Martin Davidson of Outward Bound said: “Outdoor residential experiences develop confidence, resilience and inter-personal skills, and help young people function well and thrive in life.

“In short, outdoor residentials provide unique and powerful experiences to develop the citizens required by tomorrow’s society to be economically and socially vibrant, and to tackle the global climate challenges we face.

“I 100% support Liz Smith’s MSP Member’s Bill that seeks to secure the entitlement for all young people to have the opportunity to benefit from an outdoor residential course as part of their education.”