Outdoor educationThe Countryside Alliance Foundation is working hard to get outdoor education included in the National Curriculum, recognising the valuable learning opportunities that the countryside can offer young people. With 92% of parents wanting their children to have more opportunities to get into the countryside to learn about farming and nature, there is clearly widespread support for our view. We have established an extensive outdoor education programme that includes an exciting portfolio of education resources and research initiatives designed to raise awareness of the countryside and the importance of protecting the natural environment. In addition, the fresh air and exercise associated with outdoor learning brings with it considerable health and wellbeing benefits that for many children are lacking in their daily lives. The Countryside Alliance Foundation has developed an imaginative online project called Countryside Investigators, which is a valuable learning tool used by 10% of primary schools in England and Wales. The website is accessible, eye catching and fun to use, and includes films, games and a teachers’ area. |
 Sign a petition to save rural education!Thursday, 25 April 2013 From field to fork…Securing the future of food and farming. Are you aware that, as of 2015, Land Based BTECs will no longer count in school league tables? The knock on effect of this will be that schools like Brymore School in Somerset, which currently offers Land Based BTECs such as Agriculture and Horticulture, will be forced to drop them from the curriculum, as it will jeopardise their results. Brymore School has got in touch to tell us that they have created an online petition - the staff and pupils would appreciate your support. Sign the online petition which asks David Cameron to "Keep Land Based subjects, such as Agriculture and Horticulture, in the 2015 school performance tables. It is vital that we continue to create a skilled workforce in the land based sector." Read more Stepping up our educational workThursday, 22 September 2011 The Countryside Alliance Foundation's Chief Executive, Alice Barnard, writes: Our campaign to see outdoor education included on the National Curriculum is gathering momentum, and I wanted to update you on our progress. Our dedicated campaigns team has been at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Birmingham this week, with a new outdoor education-focused stand. Read more Demon conkers - Shooting Times editorial on outdoor educationFriday, 30 September 2011 Shooting Times magazine is backing The Countryside Alliance Foundation's outdoor education campaign. The magazine takes a common sense approach to encouraging youngsters into the countryside and are keen on helping increase youth participation in shooting sports. The magazine's editor, Alastair Balmain, has written an editorial in which he reveals the extent of the Health and Safety culture in primary schools. Read more Broadcasting the rural messageThursday, 14 July 2011 Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Alice Barnard writes: While for most of us every week is countryside week, I would draw your attention to National Countryside Week, an important initiative launched by HRH the Prince of Wales’ Countryside Fund. Read more Outdoor learning "should be a part of every child's education"Thursday, 23 June 2011 We have welcomed the ‘Living Classrooms’ scheme from the RSPB and Field Studies Council and have again called for outdoor learning to be placed on the National Curriculum. You will recall that our own proposals were unanimously adopted by the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee on Outdoor Education in 2010. Read moreCountry Life's common sense approachFriday, 13 May 2011 You may have seen Country Life on 11th May, in which case you will have seen the magazine's list of 39 accomplishments it believes every youth should have in addition to traditional academic qualifications. It makes for fascinating reading and encompasses a range of practical, cultural and sporting endeavours. Read moreLet's get outdoor education onto the National Curriculum!Tuesday, 29 March 2011 On Tuesday 29th March the Daily Telegraph published an article in which BBC Presenter and RSPB President Kate Humble said: "It should be obligatory for every schoolchild to experience the countryside....Children are the future. If you give them access to the countryside, they’ll protect it. Read moreOutdoor Education Debate - 15th December 2010Thursday, 9 December 2010 The following is a background brief on outdoor education for a Westminster Hall debate secured by Simon Hart MP for Wednesday 15th December 2010. The debate is on “Outdoor learning for children and teachers” . The Countryside Alliance welcomes this debate; over the past year The Countryside Alliance Foundation (TCAF), the Countryside Alliance’s charity, has been campaigning to ensure outdoor learning is part of every child’s education. Read moreFalconry for Schools from The Countryside Alliance FoundationSunday, 10 October 2010 The Daily Telegraph's Christopher Middleton spent a day observing The Countryside Alliance Foundation's Falconry for Schools programme in action; "the culmination of a four-morning course that is designed to teach them maths, English, history, biology and physics. Read moreLearning to love the countrysideThursday, 1 April 2010 The Countryside Alliance is calling for an entitlement for every child to experience outdoor education to be in every party’s election manifesto following the latest report of the Children, Schools and Families Committee published today. Read more |
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