Discover orienteering has continued to be a very popular outdoor learning event with around 750 pupils developing their knowledge and skills. These sessions took place at various parks across Midlothian during November 2015 and March 2016.  Pupils in Primary 5 and 6 participated from 12 different schools.

During the sessions the pupils and staff learned transferable orienteering skills such as setting the map, feature identification, scale and route planning.  The learners all used Midlothian Outdoor Learning Services sportident computerised system to complete 6 different orienteering courses.   This helped to increase their IT knowledge and allow the application of new learning through the use of technologies.

The results of the discover orienteering series and information on future events are now available HERE.

There are a few things Learners and school staff could do to develop your skills further –

(1) Access the free resource called “tri-O” published by British Orienteering which anyone can use to develop orienteering skills.

( 2) In addition to this our Outdoor Learning team regularly go into schools to support the curriculum through orienteering, so if you wish to benefit from this curriculum support and you work in a school please get in touch

(3) Join a local club such as Edinburgh Southern orienteering club (ESOC).

(4) Take part in the Mid/East orienteering festival on the 4th of May 2016 at Vogrie Country park. Book via your school.

(5) Enter the Scottish Schools event on Friday June 3rd 2016, at Dalkeith Country Park.

(6) Staff can go on a course to get qualified as a teacher of orienteering.

We would like to thank all the pupils for taking part in an enthusiastic and energetic way. Many thanks equally to the school staff and parent volunteers for helping to make our events such a great success. Finally a special thank you to the members of ESOC who gave up their time to share their expertise. All much appreciated by the teachers in outdoor learning team.

This year sees a new and exciting addition to the Primary Schools Outdoor Learning Calendar.  The Midlothian Primary Schools Bike Festival 2016 is designed for pupils in P6 and P7 and it is the first time this event has been organised in the area.  The venue being used is Beeslack High School where we are utilising their purpose built cycle track as part of the cross country competition.   It is taking place on the 14th of June during National Bike Week.   The Midlothian Council Outdoor Learning Service are delighted to be managing the event in partnership with local and national organisations.  We are expecting this event to be very popular and our  aim is that all the pupils and staff have a fun challenging day learning more about cycling and achieving success by developing their skills.  How to enter and other useful information can be found HERE.

Please get in touch with Sean Fallon (Teacher of Outdoor Learning) if you have any queries.

Contact: Email – sean.fallon@Midlothian.gov.uk   OR   Tel 01968 664117.

We look forward to seeing lots of learners and staff at the event.

Discover                                             Develop                                              Achieve

During November the Midlothian Council Outdoor Learning team led another successful series of Discover orienteering sessions (formerly know as “come and try orienteering”).   These sessions took place in Ironmills and Penicuik Parks where almost 300 pupils in primary 5 and 6 participated from St Davids, Kings Park, Cuiken, Strathesk and Mauricewood schools.

During the sessions the pupils and staff learned transferable orienteering skills such as setting the map, feature identification, scale and route planning.  The learners all used our sport ident computerised system to complete 6 different orienteering courses which helped to increase their knowledge and application of new technologies.

The results of the November discover orienteering series and information on future events are now available HERE.

During the events we had a chance to talk to lots of  pupils, staff and volunteers and many were very keen to learn more about this fun and challenging sport.  There are a few things you could do to develop your skills further –

(1) Access the free resource called “tri-O” published by British Orienteering which anyone can use to develop orienteering skills.

( 2) In addition to this our Outdoor Learning team regularly go into schools to support the curriculum through orienteering, so if you work in a school please get in touch if you wish to benefit from this curriculum support.

(3) Join a local club such as Edinburgh Southern orienteering club (ESOC).

(4) Take part in the Mid/East orienteering festival on the 4th of May 2016 at Vogrie Country park. Book via your school.

We would like to thank all the pupils for taking part in an enthusiastic and energetic way. Many thanks equally to the school staff and parent volunteers for helping to make our events such a great success. Finally a special thank you to the members of ESOC who gave up their time to share their expertise. All much appreciated by the teachers in outdoor learning team.