Curriculum
The Curriculum for Excellence recognises that outdoor learning is significant for improving health and wellbeing and enhancing the curriculum for learners of all stages. Outdoor learning allows many learners to confidently access the curriculum, develop social and communication skills, as well as building positive relationships with peers and adults.
The Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning document recognises that the outdoors provides ‘opportunities to develop skills to assess and manage risk when making decisions’. The range of interaction with people and nature ‘promotes lifelong learning and develops critical thinking skills’.
‘Activities such as walking and cycling which are ideal for physical and emotional wellbeing contribute to a healthier Scotland’. That is why the wider national impact of outdoor learning and the opportunities that East Ayrshire Support Team (EAST) can provide works towards a more sustainably healthy world.
Getting it right for every child
The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 is about improving the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland. If it is deemed that something could be getting in the way of a child’s wellbeing then a Team Around the Child (TAC) meeting may be arranged to identify appropriate means of support.
The child and parent/carers, along with agency representatives, may identify that an outdoor learning provision is a positive step forward during a TAC discussion. This is where EAST staff can contribute to a needs-led programme of support through outdoor learning opportunities for the learner.
The outdoor learning experiences provided by EAST staff are in response to the needs of specific learners as identified through wellbeing assessment from the TAC.
Recognising achievement
In partnership with Youth Scotland, EAST aims to recognise the achievement of any learner that participates in EAST outdoor learning programmes. An important aspect of any learning is the ability and opportunity to experience a sense of success.
"The Hi5 Award is an exciting award for learners age 5+ that records and recognises wider achievement.
The Hi5 Award has been credit rated and levelled by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
To gain a Hi5 Award, young people choose a challenge, complete a minimum of five hours of activity, think about and comment on their achievements and gather evidence of their participation.
They will receive a certificate showing their name, challenge and special achievements. The certificate will also show the SCQF level and credit points."
Source: Youth Scotland Hi5 Awards
What we provide
EAST offers a range of outdoor opportunities including:
- den building
- mountain biking
- exploration walks
- geocaching
- navigation/orienteering
- camp craft
- nature trails
- scavenger hunts
- sports
- team building
All activities delivered by EAST staff are specifically designed to meet the needs, abilities and interests of the participating learners when discussing the child’s plan.
We can also provide information on activities which can help build children’s resilience and support a positive team building ethos.
Career long professional development
EAST provides a range of Career Long Professional Development (CLPL) for teachers in line with the General Teaching Council for Scotland's Standard for Full Recognition and Standard for Career Long Professional Development.
Outdoor learning CLPL will provide colleagues with the opportunity to deliver and reflect on practical outdoor lessons. Participants will be encouraged and supported to develop their own lessons focused on taking learning outdoors.
Classroom assistant coaches can offer training on supporting children and young people in various aspects of learning. These include supporting with numeracy and literacy tasks in an outdoor environment.
Additionally the CLPL will offer opportunities for further insight into risk benefits, additional resources and important point of reference to support sustainability.