A recent report from Dr Karen Kerr at Queen’s University Belfast has highlighted the significant benefits of outdoor learning and called for stronger support to make it a core part of education in Northern Ireland. Commissioned by Newcastle University, the report, Kerr, K. Outdoor Learning in NI in 2026 review, explores the current outdoor learning and identifies both the opportunities and barriers to ensuring every child has meaningful access to learning outdoors. This follows a Northern Ireland Forest Schools Association (NIFSA) stakeholder event on outdoor learning hosted by the Stormont Education Committee in 2025. The report was launched at Queen’s University Belfast on Wednesday 23^rd June.

Karen sits on the committee at Education for Sustainable Development and we are so grateful for her knowledge and input. Her review document combines international research, policy analysis and interviews with teachers across a range of educational settings. Its findings show that outdoor learning can improve academic engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, confidence and environmental awareness, while helping children develop important life skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience.

The findings align closely with the ambitions of Education for Sustainable Development and reinforce the importance of connecting children and young people with nature as part of their learning journey. As curriculum reform progresses in Northern Ireland, the report provides a timely evidence base for ensuring that every learner has meaningful opportunities to learn outdoors.

At the report launch, attendees also discussed the development of a collective response to the ongoing Curriculum Consultation, with a particular focus on outdoor learning. Organisations and individuals are being invited to contribute additional perspectives to strengthen the sector’s voice and help ensure outdoor learning is recognised as a key component of future educational reform.

At the end of the launch, attendees collated some points for a joint response to the Curriculum Consultation, with a focus on outdoor learning. If you would like to add any further points, please do so through this form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/AZQEtmMc1r

Please respond by Tuesday 1st September. If you/your organisation would like to remain anonymous in the response to the consultation, please indicate this within the relevant question on the form. Please feel free to circulate the attached report widely, as well as the link to the form should some of your colleagues/network be interested in contributing.