Tory says new law on outdoor residential school trips would be ‘transformative’

New legislation that aims to ensure every school pupil can benefit from outdoors education could be “transformative” for youngsters, the MSP behind the proposals has said.

Conservative MSP Liz Smith wants to change the law to ensure all children have the chance to experience five days of residential outdoor education during their time at school.

Speaking ahead of a Holyrood debate on her Bill, Ms Smith insisted all youngsters should be able to enjoy such trips “not just those whose parents can afford to pay for it”.

Her comments came ahead of a vote at Holyrood on Thursday on the general principles of the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill.

Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee have already estimated it could cost between £24.3 million and £40.6 million in the the Bill is passed.

Their report raised concerns over how this would be funded, along with issues about how to ensure pupils with additional support needs (ASN) could also benefit from the trips.

The committee made clear the Bill should only proceed if these issues can be addressed.

But Ms Smith said that her Bill “could prove transformative for young people”.

She stated: “Every school pupil in Scotland should be able to enjoy the well-documented benefits of a week’s outdoor residential education – not just those whose parents can afford to pay for it.”

The Tory insisted her proposals are “not party political in any way”, saying the Bill is “simply about offering a positive life experience to every pupil in Scotland”.

Ms Smith argued that outdoors education could “boost children’s mental health, equip them with life skills and teach them the value of teamwork”.

And she said: “That’s vital, given Scottish education faces significant post-Covid challenges, including pupil attendance, behaviour and discipline.”