Please release to me the following information, relating to support and provision for outdoor and environmental education. For the purposes of this request, please consider this as any support for outdoor and environmental learning which takes place under your remit – and is not solely limited to schools.
Please provide to me the following information:
1. Confirm whether you currently have in place a role / department / section or similar to support outdoor and/or environmental education in the county including details i.e. website, online resources, paid or voluntary roles.
We have 2 outdoor learning centres of which all roles are paid. The centres are supported by 9 roles.
Please see below links to more information about these:
- Outdoor education school residentials on Dartmoor | DES
- Find out about our two residential centres on Dartmoor. | DES
- The Dartmoor Centres – Pixies Holt & DTC | Yelverton
2. Details of how support for outdoor and/or environmental education has changed over the past 20 years. For example, if there was a paid role in place 14 years ago, please give details of this role and when it ended; likewise with any other support.
Outdoor learning centres have only existed with Devon County Council (DCC) only since August 2022. Prior to that it was with Babcock Educational.
3. The current annual budget for outdoor/environmental education.
We do not have annual budget for them as they are fully traded services but the annual turnover for 2023/24 was £529,272 for Residentials, First Aid and EVC trainings.
4. The annual budget for outdoor / environmental education in 2014.
Devon County Council do not hold this information as prior to August 2022, outdoor learning centres were part of Babcock Educational.
They can be contacted at the following link Contact us – Babcock International.
5. The annual budget for outdoor / environmental education in 2004.
See answer to question 4.
6. Details of council currently owned or part owned outdoor / environmental education centres (either residential or day visit) including number of centres and their locations.
We have 2 outdoor learning centres.
7. Details of previously owned or part owned outdoor / environmental education centres over the past 20 years. Please provide historical numbers, locations, and the date of sale/relinquishment.
See answer to question 4.