Outdoor learning service

Our Outdoor Learning team works directly with schools and the community to raise attainment using outdoor learning as an approach to learning.

The service focusses on three main areas:

Delivery of Curriculum for Excellence - numeracy, literacy and health and wellbeing outcomes

All our schools are given the opportunity to utilise the skills and knowledge of a specialist outdoor learning (OL) teacher. The OL teacher works alongside school-based staff to extend the learning space into the outdoor environment.

Providing opportunities for all pupils to access adventurous outdoor activities

Primary and secondary pupils are provided with the opportunity to participate in a choice of both land and water based adventurous activities. These include:

Adventure Award days (P3 - P7)

  • pupils coached to gain the skills needed to progress in activities such as kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddling, orienteering, climbing, navigation and first aid

Festivals (P5 - P7)

  • orienteering and watersports

Competitions (all ages)

  • interschool challenges and national orienteering competitions

Extra curricular / extra requests (all years)

  • support the demands on schools and community such as Duke of Edinburgh, activity weeks and residential experiences

Summer Activity Programme (P7 - S2)

  • multi-activity sessions running for four weeks in the summer holidays iincluding mountain biking, climbing, paddling, coasteering etc.

Offering Outdoor Learning CLPL to East Lothian Council educators and community leaders

The team provide a programme of CLPL opportunities enabling staff to build confidence and pass on skills and knowledge to pupils in an outdoor learning environment.