The guidance has been developed for Outdoor Education Centres (OEC), education authorities and schools to support a safe reopening and operation of OEC for day visits by schools following the emergence of COVID-19 in Scotland. It may also be applicable in planning for school overnight visits when they are permitted to resume. It has been developed in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
Complimentary to this technical guidance, Fit for The Future- Scotland’s Outdoor Education Centres, outlines the educational value of OEC in respect of delivering outcomes associated with Curriculum for Excellence. The aims of this guidance are to:
- Provide overarching framework of expectation regarding practical approaches to a safe reopening and operation of OEC for visits by schools.
- Promote broad national consistency whilst ensuring appropriate local flexibility for OEC providers, education authorities, schools and staff to adapt and adopt approaches that best suit their needs and ensure the safety of staff, pupils and their families.
- Provide confidence and reassurance to education authorities, schools and other service users in reconnecting with OEC to book/confirm future visits and undertake those visits.
