Education Secretary backs Tim Farron’s outdoor education for all campaign

On the floor of the House of Commons yesterday, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron secured the support of the new Secretary of State for Education, Lucy Powell, for his campaign to give every young person the opportunity to experience outdoor education.

It comes after the Scottish Parliament made outdoor education a legal entitlement for every pupil.

Tim is campaigning for the UK Government to fund a residential stay at an outdoor education centre for every child in England.

Speaking in Parliament, Tim said: “I draw the Secretary of State’s attention to the recent change of the law by the Scottish Parliament that entitles every young person at school to five days outdoors with four nights in residential accommodation, which brings massive benefits to their resilience, love of learning and capacity to work together in teams.

“Given that 81% of children from the poorest backgrounds never get access to outdoor education, is it not time that we considered doing something similar?”

In response, the Education Secretary Lucy Powell referenced her own experience as a child of going to Ghyll Head Outdoor Education & Activity Centre which is based near Windermere.

She said: “I am absolutely with the honourable Member on the importance of residential activities, and for every young person to have access to them.

“I went to Ghyll Head as a child - it is owned by Manchester City Council - and my children have been there.

“It is a fantastic facility, and my ambition is that every child has the opportunity to go somewhere as fantastic as that.

“I am happy to work with him on these issues.”