More outdoor learning is ‘essential’ for young people in Scotland, whose opportunities to go outside fall far short of what is offered in other countries, says a new study led by the University of Stirling in collaboration with the University of Glasgow.
More outdoor learning is ‘essential’ for young people in Scotland, whose opportunities to go outside fall far short of what is offered in other countries, says a new study.
The study, led by the University of Stirling in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, calls for greater support for outdoor learning – from lessons outside to trips and residential stays – to be embedded in all levels of Scottish education, from early years to high school. The authors argue that teacher support is key to improving provision.
Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence requires educators to offer opportunities for all children and young people to enjoy first-hand, curriculum-linked experience outdoors, whether within the school grounds, in urban green spaces, in Scotland’s countryside or in wilder environments.
Outdoor learning is also part of the formal curriculum for three- to 18-year-olds under the Scottish Government’s Learning for Sustainability action plan. In Scotland, Learning for Sustainability invites engagement across the curriculum addressing sustainable development and global citizenship, often through outdoor experiential approaches.
On average, Scots primary school pupils in 2022 were only getting seven minutes a week of outdoor learning (excluding physical education) – far short of what is offered in other countries, and lower than in the past, according to research carried out as part of the study.
Researchers collected data from education practitioners across Scotland. Surveys were conducted each May and June in 2006, 2014 and 2022. The data showed that primary school children spent on average just seven minutes per week learning outdoors in 2022, compared to 30 minutes per week in 2014, and 19 minutes per week in 2006.
However, early years centres increased their outdoor provisions, with 38% of children’s time in being spent outdoors in 2022, up from 36% in 2014, and 23% in 2006.
The surveys covered 1,200 outdoor lessons, events, or trips, including residential stays, and excursions to local areas and centres such as farms and parks. Physical education lessons were excluded. Most outdoor learning provision occurs in school grounds and local areas.
As well as being good for subject learning and health, outdoor learning has the potential to transform how young people understand and care for the environment, say the report’s authors – essential at a time of climate and biodiversity crisis.
The study found that when children do spend time in green spaces and nature as part of outdoor learning, it is not necessarily connected to environmental issues or concerns. The authors say there is more to do to link outdoor learning to Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability framework, which has a target of every learning setting for three to 18-year-olds to be sustainable by 2030.
The Scottish Government’s focus on closing the attainment gap between Scotland’s richest and poorest households has led to a shift away from outdoors and sustainability learning in schools, especially in areas of deprivation, says the study.