Collective Knowledge
Here you will find research and reference documents, proven practice and teaching resources. Also included are award schemes for young people to recognise their skill acquisition and personal achievements in outdoor Learning.
Teaching Hub
Upcoming Events Resource Library
*** NEW for 2025 ***
Fit For Purpose: High Quality Outdoor Learning for the 21st Century. The High Quality Outdoor Learning guide clearly outlines the benefits of working in the natural world and has been written to help you evaluate and then set about improving, or further improving, the quality of outdoor learning. Drawing on the latest research, and through collaboration and consultation across outdoor learning, Dr David Harvey, has updated this essential and definitive guide.
Starting out with curriculum based outdoor learning
IOL Webinar: Starting out with curriculum based outdoor learning - How to use outdoor learning to teach curriculum content
Majority of UK Schoolchildren missing out on benefits of regular access to nature.
Schools for Nature report published by WWF today finds that UK schoolchildren are missing out on the benefits of connecting with nature, with only 24% of schools providing daily opportunities to experience nature.
Read the Nature Park's first annual report
Last week we published the first National Education Nature Park annual report, exactly one year since the programme launched. Highlights of the report include: · More than 1 in 8 schools and colleges have now joined the Nature Park · Children and young people have mapped more than 2 million m² of habitats across the country. That's about 1,600 Olympic-size swimming pools! · Overviews of the aims, design and development of the programme Read through the report to see the impact of the programme so far, and how it's going to expand and develop over the next year.
National Outdoor Learning Award
The National Outdoor Learning Award scheme (NOLA) recognises and captures the personal development outcomes of participants during a residential or regular outdoor learning experience. The award has been trialled and found to be effective in a number of different outdoor learning contexts (schools, residential centres, National Park groups). It is underpinned by educational best practice and European welfare legislation.
Educational Initiatives
Tirlun
Tirlun is a portal for outdoor learning activities, taking the learner from their school to the local area and into the Designated Landscapes of Wales and beyond.
Climate School 180
Climate School 180 is Learning through Landscapes’ new climate-focused initiative. The project aims to develop and share a better understanding of how schools can implement quality climate education, alongside providing first-hand experience of creating nature-based solutions to climate change in the school grounds.
National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Awards
The National Education Nature Park programme aims to embed nature-based learning in the curriculum, and encourage children and young people all over the country to take action to improve their site for people and wildlife.
Resource Library
In the resource library you will find research and reference documents, proven practice and teaching resources.
If you have an item you would like to contribute or recommend, including unpublished or non-digital formats please do get in touch.
Professional Development
Here you will find information on courses to help you and/or your organisations planning and delivery. For you, there are the IOL Awards that recognise skills, knowledge and experience of delivery, management and leadership in outdoor learning.
Courses and Events
Book here for courses, conferences and events listed through the IOL. Signposting to organisations that have their own quality events programmes.
Governments' Advice and Guidance
England
- Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panel oeapng.info
The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP) provides guidance, activities, training and support for outdoor learning and educational visits. - National Guidance Guidance Documents | (oeapng.info)
OEAP’s National Guidance comprises a set of documents providing information and guidance about outdoor learning and off-site visits for schools, colleges, youth settings, and other establishments, and for their employers.
Scotland
- Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education Homepage - SAPOE
The Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE) is the forum where Scotland’s outdoor learning community collaborates to develop best practice in the design and safe delivery of outdoor learning for all children and young people in Scotland. - Going Out there - Scottish Framework for Safe Practice in Off-site Visits - Going Out There
SAPOE is tasked by the Scottish Government with maintaining and implementing Scotland’s framework for safe practice in off-site visits, called Going Out There.
Wales
- Outdoor Education Adviser’s Panel Cymru OEAP Cymru | (oeapng.info)
OEAP Cymru exists to ensure the effective leadership and management of high quality outdoor learning, offsite visits and adventurous activities, for the benefit of the children and young people in Wales. - National Guidance Guidance Documents | (oeapng.info)
OEAP’s National Guidance comprises a set of documents providing information and guidance about outdoor learning and off-site visits for schools, colleges, youth settings, and other establishments, and for their employers.
Northern Ireland
- Outdoor Learning Service | Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk)
Education Authority Youth Service provides opportunities for our children and young people to engage in Outdoor Learning opportunities as part of either their school curriculum, or through youth work programmes. - National Guidance Guidance Documents | (oeapng.info)
OEAP’s National Guidance comprises a set of documents providing information and guidance about outdoor learning and off-site visits for schools, colleges, youth settings, and other establishments, and for their employers.
Horizons
Horizons is the IOL’s quarterly magazine which shares updates, tested good practice and the latest research – members receive the latest editions in digital and print straight to their inbox and letter box.
Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning
The Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning is an official publication of the Institute for Outdoor Learning. The main purpose of the Journal is to provide a central point and place of reference for the publication and dissemination of research and scholarship on adventure and the outdoors as media for learning, as well as recreation.
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