The Scottish Conservatives believe that education in an outdoor environment provides one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences for a wide range of pupils, no matter their backgrounds or abilities. That is why we have launched a new initiative - ‘Outward Bound’ - which focuses specifically on Outdoor Education. We believe that every pupil in year groups P7-S3 should, at some time within these four years of schooling, be entitled to a week’s residential course in outdoor education. 

We firmly believe that this experience would enrich the lives of the pupils involved, provide them with a knowledge and appreciation of unfamiliar environments and communities, helping them to build confidence and self-esteem. In particular, these activities teach pupils leadership skills, the need for responsible behaviour and how to deal with new challenges and risk factors.

In an age when there is growing national concern about young people’s lifestyles, and that many children from some of the more deprived areas do not get the same opportunities as their counterparts elsewhere, the Scottish Conservatives believe it is time for a new policy development in this field; one which fits with the Curriculum for Excellence and which has lasting benefits for pupils well beyond their years at school.