HOW TO MAKE BRITAIN SUSTAINABLE: OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS IN HAPPINESS FOR ALL CHILDREN IN THE UK

Two innovative education proposals –outdoor experiences on the curriculum, and lessons in happiness – on 1 July 2009 were hailed as potential Breakthroughs for the 21st Century, as the Sustainable Development Commission unveils a selection of the best ideas which could transform the UK into a sustainable society.

The SDC’s Breakthroughs project set out to identify the ideas with the most potential for tackling climate change, resource depletion and inequality. Natural Values, an idea promoting outdoor experiences for all children in the UK, submitted by Dr Kate Rawles and Dr Chris Loynes of the University of Cumbria, was praised by SDC Commissioners, and included in the final selection of 19 ideas to be showcased.

HRH the Prince of Wales will meet the team behind the idea at today’s conference. The event, hosted by Anna Ford, Jonathan Dimbleby and Rosie Boycott, will bring together 400 high-level community, business, education and Government representatives to discuss how to make the ideas a national reality.

Also included in the final selection was a proposal for teaching and learning happiness to be embedded in the school curriculum, supported by happiness economics expert Professor Lord Richard Layard. The proposals would see teachers and schools working with young people to promote self esteem and social cohesion, and help them understand what makes people happy in life.

Dr Kate Rawles / Dr Chris Loynes said:
“Young people need outdoor experiences to nurture their well-being – but a growing number aren’t getting any. This project is about reversing their ‘nature deficit’ by bringing them into frequent contact with the natural world, with proper follow-up, helping them develop the values, understanding and knowledge that underpin sustainable lifestyles.”

SDC Chair Jonathon Porritt said:
“If we’re to be suitably ambitious about how the environment contributes to young people’s well-being, and how young people contribute to the well-being of the environment, we should aim to make outdoor experiences a sixth objective in the Every Child Matters Framework. As a minimum, structures and clear targets for outdoor experiences need to be backed up by strong and consistent incentives. Unless this is properly resourced, children’s services, schools and other local partners can’t and won’t deliver.”

CASE STUDIES
Macmillan Academy in Middlesbrough uses outdoor learning to inspire every student to succeed. Ranking inside the top 100 state schools, labelled “outstanding” by Ofsted and as a National Support School, the Academy has a unique specialism in outdoor learning, pursuing an experiential approach to outdoor learning that is practical, dynamic and exciting. The experiences emphasise enterprise skills such as collaboration, problem solving, decision-making and self-assessment. The impact has been powerful, with a focus on students’ enjoyment of learning, self confidence, a motivation and appetite for learning and broadened horizons.

Widewell Primary School in Plymouth is the only school in trust status also with outdoor learning as a central curriculum theme. Outdoor education is specifically timetabled – from exploring the woods at infants level to gaining Young Navigators Awards – as well as being integrated as a stimulus throughout all subjects taught. The school places a strong emphasis on including parents in the learning experience, increasing the confidence of whole families to enjoy the natural environment.

Dee Point Primary School in Chester is an eco-school with outdoor education and sustainability as core themes. (TBC)

The Breakthroughs event will be Jonathon Porritt’s last major event as Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission before he steps down on 27 July.

The report Breakthroughs for the 21st Century is available to download on the SDC’s website at www.sd-commission.org.uk.

(2.7.09)

Close this window