Field Studies Council  hails ‘landmark’ moment as Scotland guarantees outdoor residentials for all pupils

A leading environmental charity has welcomed the passing of a bill which means all Scottish schoolchildren will get to experience at least one outdoor residential trip during their education as a ‘landmark’ moment. 

The Field Studies Council, which operates 12 outdoor educational centres across the UK, including one at Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, said the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill had presented a once in a lifetime opportunity for school pupils and it was over the moon that MSPs had seized the moment. 

Mark Castle, chief executive, said:

“This is a landmark moment for outdoor education and the benefits of this bill will be far reaching for Scottish schoolchildren. 

“The sector has campaigned long and hard for outdoor residentials to be embedded into school curriculums and this decision by MSPs means it will now be cemented for years to come benefiting hundreds of thousands of young people. 

“It’s our belief that there is not a single lesson in the school day which cannot be enriched by connecting to nature, or a topic in the curriculum that can’t be enhanced by outdoor learning whether that be numeracy, literacy, science or the arts.  

“We know from experience that time spent away from home and the day-to-day classroom immersed in nature improves wellbeing, builds confidence, promotes independent thinking and fosters more positive attitudes among young learners, as well as making memories which last a lifetime. 

“Tory MSP Liz Smith who proposed this legislation and has fought tirelessly for it, is absolutely right when she says this bill will be transformational for the development of young people. We agree wholeheartedly.” 

The bill was passed at Holyrood this week with 120 votes for, no votes against and one abstention. 

The bill will place a legal duty on councils to ensure school pupils in grant-aided and state schools have the chance to experience at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career. 

Mark, who still vividly remembers his own first school residential trip to Scotland’s Mull of Galloway, added: 

“School residentials create memories that last a lifetime – I can still vividly recall conquering my fears whilst abseiling and sea canoeing, and those magical barbecues on the beach where friendships were forged and deepened.  

“What made it truly transformative was seeing our teachers as real people – watching my strict maths teacher play guitar around the campfire completely changed my relationship with learning and showed me never to judge others by first impressions.  

“These residential trips offer children irreplaceable opportunities to grow, bond with peers in meaningful ways, and discover sides of themselves they never knew existed. Without them, we’re denying young people experiences that will enrich their lives forever. What we would like to see now is for this bill to set a precedent and for government’s in England and Wales to follow suit.”