Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the evidence of the impact of learning outside the classroom on (1) attainment, and (2) social skills.

The Department for Education has assessed the evidence of the impact of learning outside the classroom on attainment, social skills and other outcomes. In 2008, Ofsted reported that good quality education outside the classroom led to improved outcomes for pupils, including better achievement, standards, motivation, personal development and behaviour. This report is published online at:

www.ofsted.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/surveys-and-good-practice/l/Learning%20outside%20the%20classroom.pdf

In addition, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), which is funded by the Department, found that outdoor adventure learning[1] interventions consistently show positive benefits on academic attainment and wider outcomes such as self-confidence. The research found that, on average, pupils who participate in adventure learning interventions appear to make approximately three months additional progress over the course of the year.

[1] http://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/toolkit/outdoor-adventure-learning/