A CUMBRIAN trust has put forward proposals to get outdoor education professionals into schools to help children rekindle their love of learning after a turbulent year.

Brathay Trust has suggested utilising the skills of those working for the outdoor education sector to support the area’s schools.

Within the proposal the trust said some schools have ‘found it difficult to get young people through the door after the last lockdown, and others highlighted that social and emotional behaviour for whole year groups wasn’t always where they expected it to be.’

The Ambleside based charity believes the scheme will also help the many outdoor education professionals who are currently ‘under-employed’ due to current limitations on the sector due to Covid.

“There are two big issues at the moment,” said Brathay Trust’s chief executive, Godfrey Owen.

“The first is that there are lot of staff who are under employed because residential centres aren’t operating as they normally would.

“But also, that schools are working really hard to support their students.

“We could put those two issues together and create a benefit rather than have two problems.

“Those outdoor professionals have a lot of skills around coaching, inspiring young people and technical skills and they can apply that in schools.”

Under the scheme the outdoor learning sector would provide a ‘complimentary outdoor and creative learning curriculum’ for pupils who have disengaged with remote learning or who are not attending school.

Children will be encouraged to participate in outdoor and creative activities, including aspects of the curriculum.

In some instances, the sector would be able to provide one-to-one support for young people to find the best way to reintroduce them back into school.

And it would also work in small groups to run targeted workshops to increase young peoples’ resilience and mental well-being through personal development activities and focused sessions.

Additionally, there would be outdoor activity days at activity centres for whole year groups or targeted students.

Activities would aim to help pupils re-engage with learning, develop team building, improve self-confidence, and reduce anxiety.

“This is an absolutely fantastic proposal from Brathay which has my full support,” said Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Tim Farron.

“Outdoor education professionals have the skills and expertise to reconnect young people with a love of learning and help rebuild their confidence.

“I look forward to discussing this proposal with ministers so that we can help young people get back on the right track following the huge disruption to their educational and personal development caused by the covid pandemic.”