Chamber and committees

No problem. It was about the impact that the bill could have on other outdoor learning that takes place, such as that for the Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Good morning, and thank you for joining us. Tara Lillis touched on the fact that 90 per cent of teachers have said that the bill will be a good thing. From the evidence that we have received and the consultation, it is clear that the teachers who submitted their views see an additional benefit.

Specifically, my question is: what impact will the bill have on other aspects of outdoor learning that is currently undertaken, such as through the Duke of Edinburgh awards or learning in school grounds or the local community? I will bring in Andrew Bradshaw on the local authority aspect.

Last week, there was some consensus in the evidence that we took that three or more days is a beneficial amount of outdoor education for young people to experience. Following on from that, is there a minimum number of pupils or length of stay that makes a visit viable?

I want to go back to the evidence that we heard earlier about the union’s concerns. In council-run facilities, what experience do you have of teachers enjoying being part of and coming along on these trips?

I have a brief question about making visits viable. I do not know whether Ardroy still has relationships with Fife Council in providing such visits. Do you usually see state sector teachers and pupils travelling on a Monday, for example, and returning to their local authority on a Friday so that the working week for the teacher is still the same?

Do you have anything to add, Tara?

That was an easy answer. Thank you.

Good morning to the witnesses. Thanks for joining us this morning. The number of pupils who undertake residential outdoor education is not collected centrally. Are you aware of how many pupils, especially those from the state sector, currently undertake residential outdoor education? Is that predominantly in council areas that still own their own facilities?

Thank you.

Last year, 20,144 young people started a Duke of Edinburgh award in Scotland. Of that, an amazing 1,847 achieved the gold award. Currently, people need to include a “residential event”, as it is described, to achieve the gold award. From your experience of helping young people in the City of Edinburgh Council area get into outdoor education opportunities, are there barriers and inequalities in the state sector to our young people being able to go on to achieve the gold award?

Finally, do you collect any data on teachers who want to volunteer to take part in additional curricular activities because they see the benefit to their young people? You mentioned the additional 10 hours, on which you have some data, but do you have data on teachers doing extracurricular work voluntarily?