SCHOOL CHILDREN across Scotland should be given more opportunities to learn lessons – including English, maths and science – outdoors, according to leading education advisors and experts.
The call comes as an estimated 37,000 Scottish nursery and school pupils prepare for Outdoor Classroom Day this Thursday, a worldwide celebration of using learning in the great outdoors.
A growing body of evidence points to the benefits of outdoor learning, which it is claimed boosts mental and physical wellbeing and promotes more engaged learning in literacy and numeracy. Other studies suggest it helps narrow the attainment gap between children from well-off and less affluent households.
But despite Scottish Government policy and curriculum guidelines that insist every child is entitled to regular outdoor learning experiences at school, many claim the provision is still a mixed picture. Advocates say outdoor learning opportunities in school grounds, local green spaces and beyond, must be more widespread.
Professor Pete Higgins, chair of Edinburgh University’s Outdoor and Environmental Education department at Moray House admitted that provision was patchy. The academic, who advised the Scottish Government on current outdoor learning policy and curriculum guidance, said while some schools embraced the approach, others needed more encouragement.
“Teachers must get kids out,” he said. “There shouldn’t really be any choice about this. The policies are in place and we are contravening those if we do not go out. But unless teachers see it as a requirement and are obliged by the inspectorate or by the SQA, it often doesn’t happen. Time spent outdoors is not just about emotional and physical wellbeing, it’s about presenting learning opportunities in the real world that make sense and stay with our children and young people.”
Alison Motion, director of Grounds for Learning, a charity promoting outdoor learning, said classes outside also encouraged children to be less sedentary which could increase their lifespan.
One school taking outdoor learning seriously is Shawlands Academy in Glasgow. All 252 first year pupils are currently engaged in a John Muir Award outdoor programme, which sees them do all their classes - in 11 subjects including maths, English, science, art and physical education - in the nearby Queens Park for three days in May.
Last week’s lessons included French, where pupils learnt vocabulary for the plant and animal life around them, and biology where they took part in the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) tree health survey, monitoring horse chestnut, oak and ash trees.
Maths groups used formula to calculate the age of trees from their circumference and drama students devised and filmed an advert for the park on their phones. In English they wrote poems, song lyrics and raps inspired by the park life they witnessed.
“It’s been really fun,” said 12-year-old Charlotte. “We’ve learnt lots and we’ve got to know more about our community. The teachers are nicer to us too. I think they like being outside as well.”
Donnie MacBride, principal teacher, said: “The overwhelming majority of pupils gave the experience 5/5 stars. They like the visual aspect of learning, and spending time outside with their friends. It’s also very active. I estimate they walk about 5–7k per day while they are out. At the end of the three days they are knackered.”
The school aspires to give pupils a minimum of two hours of curriculum-based outdoor learning every month in the near future.
According to Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC), parents across the country are supportive of such moves. In a SPTC survey of parents all said they agreed that outdoor learning should be an important and regular part of children’s learning.
Almost a quarter said their school did not make the most of opportunities for outdoor learning.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said outdoor learning was important to help young people meet 21st century social, economic and environmental challenges.
“The outdoor environment has massive potential for learning and we are keen to see all our children and young people having positive learning experiences in a variety of settings,” he added.
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