Hansard

I welcome the opportunity to address the Parliament to provide an update on the Scottish Government’s on-going support for outdoor learning provision for our children and young people and, in particular, on our formal position on the financial resolution for the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced by Liz Smith. As members are aware, for Liz Smith’s bill to proceed to stage 2, a motion for a financial resolution must be lodged within six months of the conclusion of stage 1. I very much welcome the engagement that I have had with members from across the chamber, and I thank the member in charge, Liz Smith, for the constructive discussions that we have held.

I am pleased to confirm that, following very careful and full consideration of the matter, the Scottish Government has today lodged a motion for a financial resolution for the bill, which we will vote to support when ministers move the motion tomorrow. I trust that that will come as welcome news to members from across the chamber.

As I have made clear to members since stage 1, the Scottish Government absolutely recognises the important role that outdoor learning in all its forms, including residential outdoor education, can play in supporting the development of our children and young people. That is reflected in our refreshed learning for sustainability action plan, which was published in 2023. It might be helpful to briefly note some of the Government’s activity in that regard for the Parliament’s awareness more widely. The work includes the new Scottish outdoor learning strategic working group, which will provide recommendations next month on how the Government and partners can continue to strengthen support for outdoor learning. Education Scotland is supporting the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres and the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education in the development of a quality residential framework and a training resource for outdoor education centre instructors. Systemic change is being delivered through the curriculum improvement cycle, which is strengthening the place of outdoor learning across the three-to-18 curriculum, and we continue to provide pupil equity funding and the learning estate investment programme, which many schools make use of to support delivery of residential and on-site outdoor learning.

What that package of work demonstrates is that, even in the absence of legislation, the Scottish Government is working with partners across the education sector to improve provision of and access to impactful, safe and varied outdoor learning experiences, including residential outdoor education. Our schools and dedicated school staff are doing their best to ensure that pupils can benefit from such experiences. For example, Cedarbank school, an additional support needs school in West Lothian, is committed to ensuring that all pupils across broad general education receive two hours of outdoor learning a week, and all subject areas across the senior phase are encouraged to integrate regular outdoor learning as part of lesson plans. Pupils at Ulva primary school on the Isle of Mull take part in regular outdoor learning through activities such as weekly shore school, learning key skills and taking ownership of their whole learning environment.

There is an important reason why I mention all that. The Scottish Government acknowledges the significant positive opportunity that Liz Smith’s bill represents, but, as it progresses to stage 2, we must ensure that the legislative approach aligns with and builds on, but does not detract from, all the good practice that is already under way to deliver outdoor learning across the system.

Although the Government accepts it as the Parliament’s will that the bill proceeds to stage 2 and is therefore lodging the necessary financial resolution, the Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that the bill, should it become law, is fit for purpose, meaning that it is affordable and, of course, deliverable. I have discussed that at length with Liz Smith, and I am grateful to her for her willingness to work through a range of options. That will include further considering the total potential costs of the bill, equity of provision and workforce implications. All those issues were recognised by the lead Education, Children and Young People Committee in its stage 1 report, and they have formed a central focus of my discussions with Liz Smith to date, as members are aware.

Indeed, the Education, Children and Young People Committee concluded that the bill should only progress if concerns relating to the affordability and deliverability of the provisions were addressed.

As I said, the Government respects the will of Parliament that was clearly demonstrated at stage 1 when it supported the bill’s moving forward. The onus is now on the Parliament to work with the member in charge of the bill—and, indeed, the Government—to address the challenges that have been raised in relation to funding. I assure members that the Government will play its part.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and I have discussed with Liz Smith how she, as the member in charge, and the Government may look to continue to work constructively together as the bill progresses. That we have established a shared understanding in that regard is important, as we are now beyond the point—as set out in standing orders—at which the Government would otherwise seek to take on the bill as Government legislation.

Specifically, we have agreed that, as the member in charge of the bill, Liz Smith will work with the Government on stage 2 amendments to address the challenges of affordability and deliverability, which relate to the duty to fund, the targeting of those children who might benefit the most and a change in commencement.

I believe that, across the Opposition parties, there is a wider recognition of the need to, and a willingness to, robustly consider amendments that seek to ensure that the bill will be more affordable. Amendments must also reflect the need for equity of provision and the time that will be required for the outdoor education sector to build sufficient readiness in advance of any new statutory duties coming into effect.

Further close collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including outdoor education centres, teacher trade unions, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland will be critical in informing stage 2 considerations. That is why I am pleased to confirm that Liz Smith has also agreed to develop, with the Government, a work plan that will set out activities to be undertaken, led by the member in charge, in the lead-up to the stage 2 proceedings to help to further address outstanding concerns and to develop draft amendments.

I have offered to undertake certain engagements with Liz Smith on a joint basis. Support from my officials will also be made available, as appropriate, to further the policy development and analysis that will be necessary to shape a suitable way forward that best takes account of the outstanding issues.

As part of our most recent conversation, Liz Smith discussed with ministers potential approaches to addressing the known challenges that the bill as introduced presents for the teacher workforce. We have also shared initial thinking on the potential role of capital investment in supporting improvements across the outdoor education estate. Those issues require more focused deliberation.

I am assured, and I am grateful, that the member in charge is open and willing to explore compromises in her bill to help to mitigate unintended consequences and to strengthen the feasibility of implementation, should the bill become law. Importantly, we discussed the fact that, in working to strengthen the deliverability of the bill, there must continue to be a focus on ensuring equity of provision and equity of access to residential outdoor education so that all pupils have the opportunity to experience the range of benefits that such activities can provide. For example, it is widely accepted that residential outdoor education can deliver improvements in personal development, behaviour, attendance and pupil-teacher relationships. Therefore, that will remain at the heart of the Scottish Government’s interactions with the member in charge and the Parliament more broadly as the bill progresses.

Subject to the Parliament agreeing to the motion for the financial resolution tomorrow, I assure members that I and Liz Smith will swiftly engage again to agree the details of a work plan. Of course, we must make the best use of the time that will be available ahead of the formal stage 2 proceedings to make the progress and improvements that are required.

The Scottish Government recognises the opportunity that the bill presents for children and young people across Scotland, but we must get it right. I look forward to working with the member in charge and members from across the Parliament to ensure that we do so.

I am now happy to take questions.