The Field Studies Council (FSC), the UK’s leading environmental education charity, has stepped up to assist schools affected by the closure of Kingswood activity centres. This move comes after the collapse of the Inspiring Learning Group, which led to the closure of seven Kingswood centres, a development described as a “significant blow” to the outdoor learning sector.
FSC, which has been a key player in environmental education for over 80 years, is reaching out to schools that now face uncertainty regarding their residential trips. These trips, often an essential part of a child’s educational experience, are at risk due to the loss of one of the sector’s major providers.
Mark Castle, Chief Executive of FSC, expressed his concern for the affected schools and their pupils, stating, “We are here to support schools that may not be able to take advantage of the PGL rescue package. Our priority is to ensure that young people don’t miss out on these transformative educational experiences, which are already under threat from financial pressures.”
The collapse of Kingswood and the job losses of their staff have compounded the challenges for the sector, with Castle acknowledging the hard work and commitment of the Kingswood team. “Our thoughts are with the Kingswood employees who have lost their jobs. These are dedicated professionals who have inspired countless young people through outdoor education,” he said. “Their expertise will be sorely missed, and we hope they find new opportunities to continue their valuable work in this field.”
FSC has committed to providing support to schools in finding alternative arrangements for residential outdoor learning. Castle stressed that the loss of Kingswood underscores the growing financial and logistical pressures facing the sector. “This situation highlights the mounting difficulties that outdoor education providers are facing,” he added. “We are ready, along with others in the sector, to help schools navigate these challenges.”
The charity also raised concerns about the wider impact on educational equality. As financial pressures have made outdoor learning experiences harder to access, it is often the most disadvantaged students who miss out on these valuable opportunities. Castle pointed out that outdoor learning is vital for many children’s development, providing experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom.
“The loss of Kingswood comes at a time when more and more children are missing out on these educational experiences,” said Castle. “Those who stand to benefit the most from them are often the ones who are at the highest risk of being excluded from these opportunities.”
FSC has long advocated for outdoor learning to be firmly embedded in the curriculum, rather than being left to chance or dependent on families’ ability to pay for such experiences. “We believe outdoor learning and fieldwork residentials should be part of every child’s education,” Castle emphasised.
For schools affected by the Kingswood closures, FSC is offering support to help rearrange their outdoor learning programmes. More information can be found on the Field Studies Council’s website.