To maximise the impact of the outdoors on children, young people and families they should have access to frequent progressive experiences. Research into engagement with the outdoors highlights a number of key benefits including personal and social development, physical and mental health, nature connection, economic and community development.

Overview

This three year research project seeks to uncover new ways of valuing outdoor education, and will identify the potential for these specific learning experiences to purposefully enhance proenvironmental behaviours in young people.

IOL is delighted to be part of a Research Team who have just been awarded funding from the MARCH Network to assist in this research project. The MARCH Network is one of 8 national networks funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the 2018 Cross-Council Mental Health Plus call to further research into mental health.

Wilderness Foundation UK has previously commissioned the University of Essex to independently evaluate the efficacy of the TurnAround programme across the individual cohorts. Ten years since the first cohort, this report aims to encapsulate what the TurnAround project is, to assess the extent of its efficacy in achieving its goals, and to provide understanding as to how and why the project facilitates important changes in young peoples’ lives.

The relationship between child health, wellbeing and education demonstrates that healthier and happier children achieve higher educational attainment. An engaging curriculum that facilitates children in achieving their academic potential has strong implications for educational outcomes, future employment prospects, and health and wellbeing during adulthood. Outdoor learning is a pedagogical approach used to enrich learning, enhance school engagement and improve pupil health and wellbeing.