“Invaluable” – Outdoor Learning Service – Making a Difference – User Survey Results 2017

“I only wish more time could be devoted to outdoor learning so we can develop the confidence in the children and help them achieve more successfully at school” (User Survey 2017)

A huge thanks to all our Midlothian establishments who completed our recent 2017 Outdoor Learning Service user survey.

The Survey is now closed and the results are in.

We are delighted that so many took the time to make such positive comments about the quality of how we engage with schools to deliver Outdoor Learning to our pupils across the region.

100% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that:

  • Teaching sessions delivered were effective in connecting with learners needs
  • Equipment, teaching materials supplied and venue used were appropriate for your learners
  • Outdoor Learning Teachers were professional, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful at all stages
  • Outdoor Learning Teachers dealt appropriately with the welfare and safety of the learners

97% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that:

  • Sessions were  effective in connecting with the curriculum and planned learning outcomes
  • Learners enjoyed their outdoor learning experiences when using the service
  • Midlothian Council Outdoor Learning Service was good value

The comments on how you value the service and how it contributes to the breadth of education provided in Midlothian are also much appreciated.  You can see the full survey results at the link below.

We are always striving to improve the service and your feedback will input directly to our 2018-20 service plan.

Thank you all for your support in making our service succeed. We look forward to working with you further in 2018 -19 to develop exiting outdoor learning opportunities linked to curriculum and school improvement plans that help us all continue to raise attainment and learning across Midlothian and deliver Educational Excellence.

Click here for the full survey results

 

Making a difference – Outdoor Learning

Midlothian Outdoor Learning Service connects with learners across the Midlothian Learning Community

It has been another amazing year for Outdoor Learning in Midlothian. With usage of the service increasing again and more and more schools engaging in more varied programmes of Outdoor Learning, providing powerful and potentially  life changing  experiences for our pupils and young people across Midlothian.

As a team we are delighted that we can makes such a valued contribution to the breadth and depth of educational approaches that enable successful  learning and  increased attainment in Midlothian. (click for link)

As highlighted in the recent Midlothian Education Attainment report   “Creating a world-class education system: Attainment and Achievement 2017”

“Outdoor Learning provision and Educational visits continue to be a powerful and important part of our approach to learning in Midlothian.

Continued growth in use of outdoor learning is reflected in the increase in the number of educational visits and demand for support by educational establishments through the Midlothian Outdoor Learning Service.  

Outdoor Learning is embedded within the Curriculum for Excellence and aspires to be regular and frequent for all pupils. Schools are increasingly using educational visits and outdoor learning as part of the educational mix to improve both academic attainment and health and wellbeing of our pupils from early years to the senior phase”

Outdoor Learning has allowed our pupils to discover local and not so local places! Outdoor Learning is enabling our participants to develop, achieve and meet varied curriculum outcomes across our learning community in Midlothian.

Some highlights :

  • Growth92% increase from 2014 to 2017 in Midlothian Outdoor Learning Service (MOLS) sessions delivered.
  • Participation  across Primary and Secondary 2016/17 – 3200 + pupil participant days using MOLS + 1800 pupils attended annual Midlothian “Discover” events and Festivals
  • Educational Visits – over 9000 recorded for 2016/17 period (via new EVOLVE online visit planning and approval system introduced 2015 )
  • CLPL 104 Visit leaders & 42 Visit Coordinators trained across Midlothian since 2015 using nationally accredited course.
  • Training900 First Aid Certificates issued since 2014 with successful SQA accreditation achieved for first aid qualifications delivered by MOLS from 2017
  • Establishment support – Increase in % of all educational establishments using MOLS in 2016/17 year.
  • Pupil Safety – continued successful Adventure Activities (AALS) licence inspections & new outdoor learning activities added in 2017. Improving safety of educational visits supported via (via new EVOLVE online educational visit planning and approval system introduced 2015 )
  • Supporting partnerships 88% Schools using service – Growing demand for wider achievement programmes with schools (e.g’s. Duke of Edinburgh, JASS Schools, John Muir Award)
  • Financial Assistance Continuing management and use of Outdoor Learning financial assistance fund to support eligible learners within Midlothian.

2017/18 is also already a huge continued growth year for the service & establishments also showing increase in offsite educational visits and as we start to look to 2018/19 we encourage establishments to get in touch with your Outdoor Learning Teacher at the service for 2018/19 as next years diaries are already filling up!

A huge thanks to all our staff within the learning community who make this happen. As our learning community and school establishments increase we are looking forward to working with you all to continue to develop and grow our pupil participation in outdoor learning in 2018/19.

CLPL news – Introduction to Taking learning Outdoors (Primary)

bushcraft-iconThe Introduction to Taking Learning Outdoors  (Primary) course will take place at Hawthornden Primary school on INSET day May 22nd 2017.

This course is a fantastic opportunity for primary staff who are looking to take their learning outdoors. Staff, with little or no experience of taking groups of children and young people to learn outdoors, are encouraged to take an introductory training course aimed at the age group with whom you work.

Training will give staff the confidence and basic skills to undertake outdoor learning in school/centre grounds and other local areas and develop ideas for outdoor learning.

Training is 6 hours, delivered in one day , and includes a mix of theory, practical(some time outdoors!) and discussion.

We are  hoping to get folks signed up early as this will be a well subscribed course – there is no cost – just bring yourself along and start getting outdoors and making learning connections across the curriculum areas. We will be inviting teachers to share some of their outdoor learning approaches and start to build strategy for outdoor learning.Staff training

Tutors (Rob Heasman –  Teacher – Hawthornden PS & Bill Stephen PT Outdoor Learning) will guide you through this course developed by Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education & Education Scotland.

Where : Hawthornden Primary School

What time : 0900-1600

What to Bring : Lunch, Outdoor Clothing & Rucksack/Backpack (for outdoor walk session)

Costs: free to all Midlothian Council Primary Staff.

How to Book – on learnPro or by completing the booking form at link here and email to outdoorlearning@midlothian.gov.uk

 

Emergency First Aid Training 2016-17 now SQA !

first-aid-training-courses-2017 Midlothian Outdoor Learning Service working in partnership with the Lifelong Learning and Employability Service, can now offer full SQA certification for all our First Aid at work courses delivered from 2017.sqa-accreditation

CPR during First Aid Training courses
CPR During First Aid Training

All candidates can now receive SQA certification for the SQA level 5 and 6 units for these qualifications

 

 

Emergency First Aid at Work (6 hours)

First Aid at Work (Management of Illness in the Workplace  & EFAW) (12 & 18 hours)

Our thanks to Lorne McCall & the Qualification & Accreditations LLE team for all their assistance in this valuable development.

We have been delivering First Aid training to staff within the Education team and wider council  for many years and this certification will improve the delivery and quality of the courses offered to Midlothian Council Staff.

fa-courses-2017
Click on image for a downloadable list of First Aid courses

Details of our First aid Courses (how to book, costs, SQA units  etc)  that the Outdoor Learning Service provide  can be found at the links below or contact Bill Stephen for further information (click here for contact details)

First aid courses webpage for 2016-17 Academic Year.(click on link)

Alternatively you can download a printable list of courses

 

Discover Outdoor Learning

discover-orienteering
Click here for Session Dates, Times & how to book.

In addition to our Outdoor Learning programmes arranged directly with schools,  this year we will be running again our successful and amazingly popular Discover Outdoor Leaning days aimed at Primary schools to encourage more of our classes to learn outdoors. Last year an amazing 1350 Midlothian pupils attended these sessions, and many (500+) progressed on to attend our  Orienteering festival and Biking festival)

Our Discover Outdoor Learning Sessions this year are aimed at ;

The information booklet available here (Or click on the picture)  gives all the details you need to book and attend as well as links to further information regarding curriculum links and further participation as well as  the;

  • Midlothian Orienteering Festival 2017
  • Midlothian Mountain Biking Festival 2017

discover-bikingPlease contact the named Outdoor Learning Teacher as per the booklet if you wish to arrange attendance at one of these popular advertised sessions.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2016-17 year for some exciting Discover Outdoor Learning Days.