MP welcomes return date for outdoor education

Local MP and co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Outdoor Learning, Tim Farron has welcomed this afternoon's news that the Government have finally published a roadmap for the return of outdoor education.

The Department for Education guidance for educational visits in England says:

• Schools may reintroduce outdoor learning and single-day educational visits from Step 2 in the government's roadmap (no earlier than April 12)
• Schools can reintroduce domestic residential trips from Step 3 in the government's roadmap (no earlier than May 17)

However this announcement contains no financial support despite the devolved governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and, as of this week, Wales providing millions of pound of sector specific support for outdoor centres in their countries.

Tim said: "Today's news is a welcome relief for the many outdoor education centres across the Lake District.

"I've been lobbying ministers on almost a daily basis to give these centres - which do so much good for young people's physical and mental health and employ many dozens of local people - some certainty and confidence to plan for the future.

"So I'm delighted that ministers have finally listened to us.

"However I am disappointed that England is the only one of the four nations not to be providing specific financial support to outdoor education centres.

"This is something I will continue to make the case for in the weeks ahead to help ensure that we don't just save outdoor education centres, but that we deploy them to help reconnect young people with a love of learning."