URBAN OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Early day motion 1694, tabled 4 June 2008 by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour). Signed by 31 members.

That this House notes the significant contribution that residential courses make to improving educational standards, personal and social development and health amongst children and young people; congratulates the University of East London on producing a feasibility study on a proposal for a residential urban education centre at the Olympic Park for the Field Studies Council (FSC) a leading education charity, which operates 17 field centres in the UK with over 100,000 visitors attending day and residential courses each year; considers that such a centre would have a hugely positive impact on young people and their schools and families and provide great benefits to students from the whole of the UK and from overseas; further notes with interest that the FSC has particularly strong and well established links with London schools; and therefore commends the FSC's proposal for an urban education centre at the Olympic Park which aims to become a world-leading centre of excellence in urban studies, offering many community-based education links whilst also specialising in education for sustainable development.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 2, DUP 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.