Accessible Outdoor Learning
The Adventure for All (AfA) Specialist Sector Group is now known as the Accessible Outdoor Learning Specialist Sector Group.
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Outdoor Learning Specialist Sector Advice
Alternative Provision
The aim of this group is to support, resource and provide a voice for those providing alternative education in the outdoors. This group consists of practitioners who have passion for the outdoors and understand the impact that engaging with nature can have on children.
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Association for Outdoor Therapy
Our mission is to develop and support safe, ethical and sustainable approaches to outdoor therapy by building a thriving community of practice, promoting knowledge and understanding, and building capability in the field.
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Bushcraft
The Bushcraft PPG was founded in 2007 with the aim of promoting best practice in a growing industry. Our main aim was to ensure practitioners delivering short, half day sessions of bushcraft skills, were sufficiently competent to deliver those sessions safely.
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CBOL & Field Studies Group
The Curriculum Based Outdoor Learning & Field Studies Sector Specialist Group is made up of members who are engaged in, or have an interest in delivering study led programmes in Field Studies or Environmental Education.
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Freelance Professional Cooperative
Hosted within the IOL membership structure, the cooperative of Freelance Outdoor Learning Professionals is specifically for self-employed & micro-businesses who are providing both clients facing and B2B contract services in the outdoor sector, i.e. freelancers.
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Nature Premium
We are calling for the government to introduce a Nature Premium to guarantee regular time in nature for ALL children and young people, with additional funding and support for those who need it most.
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Outdoor Learning & Youth Work
Outdoor Learning and Youth Work play a vital role in supporting the holistic development of young people. By providing a cross-sector convening space, the Outdoor Learning Youth Work Sector Specialist Group (OLYWSSG) will act as a forum for organisations and individuals at a strategic level to identify areas for collaboration and at both a strategic and practitioner level share and build on existing good practice.
View moreGovernments' Advice and Guidance
England
- Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panel oeapng.info
The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP) provides guidance, activities, training and support for outdoor learning and educational visits. - National Guidance Guidance Documents | (oeapng.info)
OEAP’s National Guidance comprises a set of documents providing information and guidance about outdoor learning and off-site visits for schools, colleges, youth settings, and other establishments, and for their employers.
Scotland
- Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education Homepage - SAPOE
The Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE) is the forum where Scotland’s outdoor learning community collaborates to develop best practice in the design and safe delivery of outdoor learning for all children and young people in Scotland. - Going Out there - Scottish Framework for Safe Practice in Off-site Visits - Going Out There
SAPOE is tasked by the Scottish Government with maintaining and implementing Scotland’s framework for safe practice in off-site visits, called Going Out There.
Wales
- Outdoor Education Adviser’s Panel Cymru OEAP Cymru | (oeapng.info)
OEAP Cymru exists to ensure the effective leadership and management of high quality outdoor learning, offsite visits and adventurous activities, for the benefit of the children and young people in Wales. - National Guidance Guidance Documents | (oeapng.info)
OEAP’s National Guidance comprises a set of documents providing information and guidance about outdoor learning and off-site visits for schools, colleges, youth settings, and other establishments, and for their employers.
Northern Ireland
- Outdoor Learning Service | Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk)
Education Authority Youth Service provides opportunities for our children and young people to engage in Outdoor Learning opportunities as part of either their school curriculum, or through youth work programmes. - National Guidance Guidance Documents | (oeapng.info)
OEAP’s National Guidance comprises a set of documents providing information and guidance about outdoor learning and off-site visits for schools, colleges, youth settings, and other establishments, and for their employers.
High Quality Outdoor Learning
This guide to High Quality Outdoor Learning clearly outlines the benefits of working in the natural world and has been written to help you evaluate and then set about improving, or further improving, the quality of outdoor learning. Drawing on the latest research, and through collaboration and consultation across outdoor learning, Dr Dave Harvey has updated this essential and definitive guide.
Horizons
Horizons is the IOL’s quarterly magazine which shares updates, tested good practice and the latest research – members receive the latest editions in digital and print straight to their inbox and letter box.
Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning
The Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning is an official publication of the Institute for Outdoor Learning. The main purpose of the Journal is to provide a central point and place of reference for the publication and dissemination of research and scholarship on adventure and the outdoors as media for learning, as well as recreation.
Starting out with curriculum based outdoor learning
IOL Webinar: Starting out with curriculum based outdoor learning - How to use outdoor learning to teach curriculum content
Majority of UK Schoolchildren missing out on benefits of regular access to nature.
Schools for Nature report published by WWF today finds that UK schoolchildren are missing out on the benefits of connecting with nature, with only 24% of schools providing daily opportunities to experience nature.
Read the Nature Park's first annual report
Last week we published the first National Education Nature Park annual report, exactly one year since the programme launched. Highlights of the report include: · More than 1 in 8 schools and colleges have now joined the Nature Park · Children and young people have mapped more than 2 million m² of habitats across the country. That's about 1,600 Olympic-size swimming pools! · Overviews of the aims, design and development of the programme Read through the report to see the impact of the programme so far, and how it's going to expand and develop over the next year.
National Outdoor Learning Award
The National Outdoor Learning Award scheme (NOLA) recognises and captures the personal development outcomes of participants during a residential or regular outdoor learning experience. The award has been trialled and found to be effective in a number of different outdoor learning contexts (schools, residential centres, National Park groups). It is underpinned by educational best practice and European welfare legislation.
Educational Initiatives
Tirlun
Tirlun is a portal for outdoor learning activities, taking the learner from their school to the local area and into the Designated Landscapes of Wales and beyond.
Climate School 180
Climate School 180 is Learning through Landscapes’ new climate-focused initiative. The project aims to develop and share a better understanding of how schools can implement quality climate education, alongside providing first-hand experience of creating nature-based solutions to climate change in the school grounds.
National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards
The National Education Nature Park programme aims to embed nature-based learning in the curriculum, and encourage children and young people all over the country to take action to improve their site for people and wildlife.
Resource Library
In the resource library you will find research and reference documents, proven practice and teaching resources.
If you have an item you would like to contribute or recommend, including unpublished or non-digital formats please do get in touch.
Safety
Here you will find Research and Reference documents, also Safety Management reports and other Resources
Professional Development
Here you will find information on courses to help you and/or your organisations planning and delivery. For you, there are the IOL Awards that recognise skills, knowledge and experience of delivery, management and leadership in outdoor learning.
Courses and Events
Book here for courses, conferences and events listed through the IOL. Signposting to organisations that have their own quality events programmes.
Upcoming Events
IOL Free Webinar series
