A Cumbrian MP has welcomed guidance from the Government about the gradual reopening of outdoor education centres.
The Department for Education has today published guidance that says:
- Schools may reintroduce outdoor learning and single-day educational visits from Step 2 in the government’s roadmap (no earlier than April 12)
- Schools can reintroduce domestic residential trips from Step 3 in the government’s roadmap (no earlier than May 17)
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has long been campaigning for and working with ministers for the reopening of centres such as the Blencathra Centre and the Outward Bound Ullswater Centre in his constituency.
Residential school trips account for the vast majority of business for outdoor education centres – but they stopped overnight as a result of the restrictions arising from the pandemic.
“I am delighted that the Government has listened to calls, from myself and colleagues from across the House such as Robin Millar MP, Liz Saville Roberts MP and my Cumbrian colleague Tim Farron MP, to set out a clear road to reopening,” said Dr Hudson.
Our All-Party Parliamentary Group on Outdoor Learning, of which I am a vice-chair, has worked hard to secure a timeframe from Government so schools can start planning.
“I have met with ministers including Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to ensure the issue of safe reopening stays high on the agenda.”
“Whilst the new guidance helps to provide a useful framework, we must continue to be cautious about how the pandemic develops and what the data about coronavirus transmission are telling us.”
