The recently published report by the Department for Education into Character Education (August 2017) could be viewed as an exercise in re-branding but I think there is more to take from it than that.  The reference to character traits in the report such as resilience, self-esteem and confidence, communication skills, self-regulation, perseverance and motivation, respect, tolerance and empathy, may lead an outdoor learning professional to think that they might be at the heart of a school’s approach to delivering Character Education.  Think again!  The survey of schools behind the report makes little to no reference to outdoor learning.
 

We like what we’ve got thank you

We’ve come to know and trust the licensing regime and value the role its inspectors play.  I am clear that the sector has benefited hugely through the development of an intelligent approach to risk management and legislation compliance.  We don’t want to lose the culture that AALA has brought to the sector and any new regime needs to continue to bring the same rigour and developmental benefits to the sector.

Ministers’ of state come and go and those with a portfolio for education and training are no different.  There are obviously many challenges associated with frequent change of leadership in this way.  A significant one for those of us seeking a change to the value placed on outdoor learning is the emphasis and terminology associated with some of the key outcomes of high quality outdoor learning. 

The increasing focus on ‘character education’ driven by the previous administration appears to be gently fading....or is it?  My experience at a recent forum in Westminster was that though terminology and emphasis may have shifted the desired outcomes remain the same.  It is those desired outcomes of higher levels of educational engagement and attainment, increased employability, commitment to a role in wider society and responsibility for the environment we live in, that also remain key outcomes from well designed and facilitated outdoor learning activity.