The closure of residential school trips has been a devastating blow for outdoor education providers, with 30 centres already forced to shut their doors permanently since March 2020. This has resulted in 6,000 job losses and an estimated £600 million in lost revenue – a stark reminder of the sector's precarious situation.
An open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, signed by over 200 individuals including former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward and children's author Sir Michael Morpurgo, is urging the government to allow outdoor education centres to reopen from May 17. This date coincides with the planned reopening of hotels and B&Bs across England.
The letter highlights the profound impact of the pandemic on children and young people, and argues that outdoor education is an essential component of the government's broader reopening of education. Signatories warn that without the ability to reopen alongside hotels from May 17, the sector faces a critical financial crisis – potentially jeopardising a further 10,000 jobs and depriving a generation of children of invaluable experiences.
Jim Whittaker, Chair of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, stressed the sector's crucial role in helping children recover and achieve their potential post-pandemic. He added that schools and children need outdoor education services more than ever – but the sector is struggling to survive without government support.
The School Travel Stakeholder Group has put forward proposals for a fixed reopening date of May 17, with adherence to new Covid-secure protocols and government school bubble requirements. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to make a decision on the safe reopening of school trips in the near future.