Report2017–2026 update
Outdoor education in NI: impacts and issues
A Northern Ireland Assembly research paper sets out the benefits of outdoor education, the barriers to it, potential lessons from elsewhere, and the key issues to address to embed outdoor learning in schools and other settings in Northern Ireland.
What's new
This research paper, published in November 2025 among the Northern Ireland Assembly Education Committee's research papers, considers outdoor education in Northern Ireland. It looks at the benefits of outdoor education, the barriers to it, and potential lessons from elsewhere. It then outlines key issues that should be addressed if outdoor learning is to be successfully embedded in schools and other settings in Northern Ireland, drawing on lessons from Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
It is a current, policy-facing paper prepared within a legislature. It may be a useful comparator for New Zealand discussions about national EOTC strategy and support.
Putting it into practice
Leaders advocating for national EOTC support could use the paper's structure of benefits, barriers, lessons from elsewhere and key issues to frame submissions to the Ministry of Education.
How strong is the evidence
This is a research paper prepared for the Northern Ireland Assembly. The source page does not describe its methods or evidence base, so read the full paper to judge the strength of its claims.
What to read
The sections on barriers and on lessons from elsewhere