Briefing: updated High Quality Outdoor Learning 2005
Exploring the Updated 'High Quality Outdoor Learning 2025' Guide – Five Key Takeaways for Teachers
The Evolving Role of Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning offers a valuable opportunity to enrich education, promote personal growth, and connect children and young people with the natural world. The recently updated 'High Quality Outdoor Learning 2025' guide provides a framework for teachers, school leaders, and outdoor practitioners aiming to implement or enhance outdoor learning in their settings.
Published on #GlobalOutdoorLearningDay, the guide builds on years of research and practical experience, presenting a comprehensive model to support effective and inclusive outdoor education. Here are five key takeaways from the guide that are particularly relevant for schools and youth organisations.
1. Clearly Defined Outcomes
The guide identifies ten core outcomes of high-quality outdoor learning. These include:
Health and well-being
Social and emotional awareness
Environmental awareness
Positive learning experiences
Confidence and character
Skills and knowledge
Personal qualities
Skills for life
Increased motivation and appetite for learning
Broadened horizons
These outcomes emphasise the broad and lasting benefits of outdoor learning, supporting academic development and personal and social growth.
2. A Structured Approach to Quality
The guide introduces a model for understanding and delivering high-quality outdoor learning, focusing on three key areas:
- Structures: Organisational systems, policies, and leadership that enable effective practice.
- Practice: How activities are planned and delivered, ensuring they are inclusive and meaningful.
- Outcomes: The positive impacts on learners, including knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
This approach provides a useful framework for schools to review and enhance their outdoor learning provision.
3. Inclusivity and Sustainability
The guide places a strong emphasis on equity and sustainability. Outdoor learning should be accessible to all students, regardless of background or ability. It also advocates for environmentally conscious practices, ensuring that activities benefit learners and instill a lasting respect for the natural world.
By embedding inclusivity and sustainability into their outdoor programmes, schools can ensure these experiences reflect the diverse needs of their communities.
4. Evidence of Impact
Research highlighted in the guide reinforces the value of outdoor learning. Studies have demonstrated improvements in:
- Student engagement and behaviour.
- Academic performance, particularly when outdoor activities are part of a regular and progressive programme.
- Teacher well-being and professional satisfaction, as outdoor learning often fosters innovative approaches and stronger relationships with pupils.
The evidence also shows that outdoor learning can help young people develop lifelong skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
5. Collaboration and Professional Development
The guide encourages collaboration across schools, local organisations, and the wider community to create richer and more effective outdoor learning opportunities. It also highlights the importance of ongoing professional development for educators, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality programmes.
For school leaders, this presents an opportunity to invest in staff training and to partner with organisations that specialise in outdoor education.
Bringing Outdoor Learning to Life
The 'High Quality Outdoor Learning 2025' guide provides a well-considered resource for those working in education. Whether you’re developing an outdoor learning strategy for your school or looking to improve existing practices, the guide offers practical insights and principles that can be adapted to various contexts.
The digital version of the guide is freely available at https://www.outdoor-learning.org/standards/high-quality-outdoor-learning-2025.html
Outdoor learning remains a powerful tool to inspire curiosity, build resilience, and encourage environmental stewardship in students. It is a reminder of the value of stepping outside the classroom to foster skills and experiences that last a lifetime.