Liz Smith MSP has introduced a Member’s Bill within the Scottish Parliament to establish that all pupils in state and grant-aided schools will have the chance to experience at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career.

This is an amazing opportunity for school residential outdoor education within Scotland, but the bill has four major hurdles to get past before it becomes law. The Bill is currently at Stage 1 and has been passed in general principle.

If you think residentials are worthwhile and should be an integral part of the Scottish Education system – now is the time to write to your MSPs and encourage them to vote to progress the bill to the next stage, which would allow further committee scrutiny.

To find who your MSP is, go here, and enter your postcode. You have 8 MSPs who represent you, your constituency MSP (first past the post) plus 7 regional MSPs who are part of the proportional representation system. This webpage explains how to write to your relevant MSPs.  A draft MSP letter has been created to use as a basis for the letter to your MSP but please edit this letter to make it personal with your own experience of residentials (either as a parent, child or educator) and encourage your MSP to vote for the next stage.

You can track the progress of the bill on the Scottish Parliament Website here.