Tim Farron meets Education Secretary to take forward outdoor education campaign

This week, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron met with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, as part of his ongoing campaign to increase access to outdoor education for all children.

During the meeting, Tim highlighted the pivotal role outdoor education can have in improving mental and physical health. 

He encouraged the Government to replicate the new law just passed in the Scottish Parliament, which establishes that pupils in state schools should have the chance to experience at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career.

The Education Secretary agreed for her department to monitor how the new law is working. She also agreed to support research into on barriers to outdoor education access.

The research would be led by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Outdoor Learning, which is chaired by Tim, with support from the Department for Education, the Institute for Outdoor Learning, and the Association of the Heads of Outdoor Education Centres.

Speaking after the meeting, Tim said: “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.

“I’m grateful to the Secretary of State for her time and her support for our campaign to give every young person the chance to experience outdoor learning.”