Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 3 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend curriculum guidelines to promote any positive effects of learning in outdoor spaces, in light of the finding in the report, Schools Grounds in Scotland in 2025, that only around one third of secondary schools regard outdoor spaces as either very useful or essential learning resources.
The Curriculum Improvement Cycle is currently reviewing and strengthening Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence. Guidance, professional learning and resources on a wide range of matters will be considered as part of that process.
Education Scotland hosts and shares a range of guidance Outdoor learning resources | Resources | Education Scotland to support outdoor learning provision through the curriculum. Schools and local authorities can also access the GOING-OUT-THERE-PRINT-V3.pdf guidance and associated interactive toolkits online, which have been key to supporting delivery of safe and legally competent outdoor learning experiences.