As you might expect, I was delighted that my outdoor education bill has passed stage one at Holyrood with cross-party support. This Bill is not about party politics, it is what is in the best interests of our young people. In this vein, I am grateful to all of the MSPs who backed the principles of the legislation from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the SNP backbenchers who bravely broke ranks.
For readers who aren’t aware, I am currently progressing with a Private Members Bill through Holyrood which seeks to give every child in Scotland the right to one week of residential outdoor education. Far too many young people are missing out on this key learning opportunity at present, and this is especially the case in the most deprived areas. Over the last three years I have been appalled at the lack of data the Scottish Government holds on outdoor education, but our estimates are that only a third of children are attending residentials during their time at school.
In the independent school sector this is built into the curriculum because the evidence shows how beneficial it is for developing key life skills such as confidence and resilience. The current model is not working and I don’t believe it is fair, or acceptable, that the opportunity to attend a residential be reserved for a select minority in a postcode lottery. This is especially the case because it is often those from the most challenging backgrounds who gain the most from residential outdoor education.
The evidence for the benefits of residential outdoor education is compelling and exactly what is needed to begin addressing the considerable challenges in Scottish education such as attendance, behaviour, discipline, anxiety and mental health in the aftermath of Covid. Outdoor education will not solve this problem alone, but we know from qualitative evidence from pupils and teachers how beneficial, even life-changing, it can be. Often young people can be hesitant and a bit daunted prior to attending residentials, but come away with a sense of achievement and revitalised self-esteem.
I would like to thank parliamentary colleagues again for proactively engaging with me throughout the process over the last three years, but most especially the outdoor education sector themselves. Not many Member’s Bills make it this far in the process and it is a credit to the sector for persuasively putting forward the transformational impact residential experiences can have on youngsters.
The next months of Stage 2 will be crucial in addressing the concerns of members, shaping this legislation and ensuring inclusivity for all. Holyrood backing the Bill at Stage 1 is just the beginning, but the momentum is now with us, and I am absolutely determined to see it through for the sake our young people.
