Debate contribution: Curriculum Mainstreaming and Strategy for Outdoor Learning in Schools

Debate contribution by Mr David Brooks on 24 November 2025.

MLA

Mr David Brooks

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

24 November 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Committee Business

Heading

Curriculum Mainstreaming and Strategy for Outdoor Learning in Schools

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5253978

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion and to acknowledge the contribution to our educational landscape that is made by outdoor learning and the providers that bring it to our schools and that bring our schools to their facilities. We have heard that, across Northern Ireland, the forest schools model has helped many of our young people connect with nature, develop confidence and strengthen teamwork and problem-solving skills. Teachers have consistently reported the positive impact that outdoor learning has on behaviour, well-being and engagement — benefits that extend far beyond any single lesson — and, at a time when concerns about children's mental health, physical activity levels and connection to the natural environment are well documented, the work of the Forest School Association, PlayBoard NI and some of the other organisations that the Chair mentioned provides creative and meaningful contributions to the development of young people. Outdoor play, in its various forms, is an important part of learning. The ETI has also acknowledged how outdoor learning improves health, well-being and progression in learning. It also helps young people to manage emotions, develop social skills and improve concentration after adventurous play. It is also helpful to children who have additional needs, which will be relevant to the Committee as it continues its special educational needs (SEN) inquiry. I do not think that anybody will say anything today that is not positive about outdoor learning, a strategy to look at the same or the work of providers. Like other Members, I have had the privilege of visiting the forest school in the Clandeboye estate and have seen the excellent environment, facilities and ethos that makes so many passionate about it and has seen so many kids benefit. All of us will have had opportunities to go to our local schools to hear from them about some of the opportunities that they have had and what it has meant to them and to see the excitement when the kids talk about it. I record my appreciation of the dedication of the educators, volunteers and the partner organisations that deliver the work, often with limited resources — I recognise that — and a great deal of personal commitment. Their contribution is undeniably valuable and enhances the educational experience for many of our pupils. While recognising all of those strengths and positives, we have to say a word about recognising the financial reality and the challenges under which the Department of Education is operating. The pressures on the Education budget are severe and well known to Members of the House and the Committee. Schools struggle to meet basic needs, and support services are stretched. Many statutory responsibilities are already competing for insufficient funding. Therefore, while I do not question the worth or impact of outdoor learning or the programmes that are being provided without it being mainstreamed, I must also be honest about what, I think, the Department can realistically support at the moment. If additional resources were to become available, as, we all hope, they will, there are, regrettably, more urgent and immediate priorities that must be addressed first, including safeguarding, essential front-line services, supporting children with special educational needs and ensuring that schools can simply keep the doors open and staffed. That is not to take away from this priority. As I said when we discussed it in Committee, it is a worthy issue, but it has to be set against the other issues that we face. It is not a reflection on providers or their merits; it reflects the difficult financial environment that we face. My position is not that we should close the door on future departmental support or that we should not work to develop a strategy; it is to recognise that mainstreaming and directly funding this work from the core budget is probably not feasible right now, without compromising other critical areas. In the meantime, I would continue collaboration with providers, schools, communities and other partners. I remain hopeful that, in the future, if we can navigate some of the challenges that we face now, we should continue to look at these issues. In closing, I reiterate my respect for our providers and the movement that they are a part of and my appreciation for their contribution to our young people. We will not oppose the motion, but it is worth noting that, while praising much of the work that is being done, we must also be realistic with people and not build false hope about the position that the Department is in.

756 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:48 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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