Tim Farron secures meeting with Minister over outdoor education campaign

On the floor of the House of Commons yesterday afternoon, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron was offered a meeting with the Minister for Early Education, Stephen Morgan, to discuss how to give more young people outdoor education experiences.

Tim has a bill currently going through Parliament which would put outdoor learning on the school curriculum, giving every pupil in England an opportunity to visit an outdoor education centre at least once during primary school and once during secondary school.

Last month, Tim met with the heads of outdoor education centres from Cumbria and across the country at Patterdale Hall residential learning centre near Ullswater.

Speaking during Education Questions in Parliament, Tim asked: “What formal assessment have Ministers made, or will they make, of the benefits to children’s mental health and physical health, resilience and ability to learn of investing in more opportunities for residential outdoor education experiences?

Responding, the Education Minister said: “The honourable member raises a number of important points. Enriching opportunities for children and young people are a key part of our breaking down the barriers to opportunity. 

“I am happy to meet him if he has particular examples that he wishes to share.

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: “Outdoor education experiences can help to build resilience, confidence and a love of learning in young people.

“In Cumbria, we are blessed to have many excellent outdoor education centres, staffed by brilliant people.

“So I’m delighted that the Education Minister has offered to meet with me to discuss how these life-changing experiences can be made available to every child in our country.”