Liz Smith MSP introduced this Member’s Bill. It will establish that all pupils in state and grant-aided schools will have the chance to experience at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career.
This is a Member's bill
The Bill was introduced on 20 June 2024 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
At the moment, schools do not have to provide residential outdoor education. Some schools do provide it for pupils, but many do not, especially for children and young people in deprived areas where costs can be a burden. The cost of these trips can mean schools cannot provide them.
The aim of this Bill is to change this so that all school pupils get the chance to have four nights and five days residential outdoor education. The Scottish Ministers must ensure that there is funding to allow this to happen.
Residential outdoor education can take place in many settings, including:
It can involve activities such as:
The Bill does not cover pupils who attend independent schools. However, where local authorities pay the fees of children and young people attending an independent school, they must consider whether the pupil will be provided a residential outdoor education experience.
Liz Smith MSP believes that outdoor education is one of the most valuable and rewarding learning experiences that a school pupil can have.
In particular, she believes that a residential outdoor education, where a pupil can be in an environment very far removed from their usual everyday situations can be life-changing.
Liz Smith MSP also thinks that residential outdoor education can help young people develop lifelong connections to the natural environment and increases their self-esteem, self-reliance, confidence and resilience. She believes that these experiences help them to learn about what it means to be part of a team, enhance their leadership skills and find out about the importance of valuing friendship.
The Member is worried that there has been a decline in the number of outdoor education centres in Scotland over recent years. She is concerned that this, and budget constraints, mean that many young people do not have access to residential outdoor education.
The Member is also worried about the ongoing effect of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental wellbeing of young people.
Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (313KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Explanatory Notes (122KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Policy Memorandum (364KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Financial Memorandum (258KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (115KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Statements on legislative competence (109KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Explanatory Notes (215KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Policy Memorandum (496KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Financial Memorandum (298KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (219KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
Statements on legislative competence (159KB, pdf) posted 20 June 2024
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
Brian Whittle MSP is the additional member in charge for the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill.
The Member who introduces the Bill is also, in the first instance, the ‘Member in charge’ of it. They may choose to name an ‘additional Member in charge’. This gives the Member in charge an assurance that any necessary procedural steps can still be taken if they are unavailable for a period or on a particular occasion.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
Research briefings will be published in due course.
The Bill was introduced on 20 June 2024
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Education, Children and Young People Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
The Committee's call for views was open between 3 July and 4 September 2024.
Correspondence from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes, 3 September 2024
See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence
If a Bill is relevant to more than one committee, 'secondary committees' may consider and report on the general principles of the Bill to the lead committee. Some Bills may also be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee or the Finance and Public Administration Committee.