Tim Farron Leads Charge for Universal Outdoor Education

​For too long, the transformative power of the great outdoors has been a privilege reserved for the few, rather than a right for the many.

Tim Farron MP has took a significant step toward changing that narrative, meeting with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to demand a "level playing field" for every child in the UK.

​As the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Outdoor Learning, Tim Farron MP, is championing a vision where a child’s postcode doesn't determine their access to nature.

​A Lessons from North of the Border
​The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to follow the ambitious lead of the Scottish Parliament. New legislation in Scotland ensures that pupils in state schools receive at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their time at school.

​"Outdoor education has the potential to transform lives. It can boost confidence, build resilience, improve mental wellbeing, and foster a love of the outdoors and learning," "But too many children from less well-off areas are missing out on these opportunities." Tim Farron MP 

​Why It Matters: The Liberal Democrat Vision
​Our party believes that education shouldn't just happen behind a desk. We view outdoor learning as a vital tool for tackling the burgeoning mental health crisis among young people and closing the attainment gap.

​Our core policies focus on:
​Improving Wellbeing: Integrating nature based learning to combat anxiety and build self-esteem.
​Equality of Opportunity: Ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have the same access to residential trips as their peers in private education.
​Environmental Stewardship: Fostering a lifelong connection to the environment to empower the next generation of conservationists.

​Progress at the Department for Education
​The meeting yielded promising results. The Education Secretary has agreed to:

​Monitor the Scottish Model: The DfE will track the efficacy of the new Scottish law to see how it can be scaled across the UK.
​Support New Research: Working alongside the Institute for Outdoor Learning and the Association of the Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, the government will investigate the current barriers—financial and logistical—preventing schools from getting kids outside.

​Sources & Policy LinksLiberal Democrats: 

​Liberal Democrat Education Policy: Our plan for every child to thrive
 
​Mental Health Priorities:  Better Mental Health Support for Children

​The Liberal Democrats will continue to push the Government to ensure that "the Great Outdoors" is truly great for everyone, not just those who can afford the kit.
​

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