Cairngorms

2014 Outdoor Learning competition open for entries

5th September 2013

Schools, nurseries and youth organisations across Scotland who have been learning about the Cairngorms National Park are being encouraged to enter the Cairngorms National Park Outdoor Learning Awards and have their efforts recognised as well as having the chance of winning a cash prize to spend on more outdoor learning!

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) launched the biennial awards in 2012 to recognise and encourage Curriculum for Excellence work that raises awareness of the Cairngorms National Park and its special qualities among pupils and students.

Alan Smith, the CNPA’s Outdoor Learning Officer explained: “The Cairngorms National Park is a fantastic outdoor classroom and can be studied across the curriculum from biology and geography to art, history and even music. Pupils can be as bold and creative as they wish so long as they can demonstrate that their project – or learning – has helped raise their awareness and understanding of the National Park.”

There are three categories for the Outdoor Learning Awards:

  • Early years and lower Primary school – ages 3 to 8.
  • Upper Primary – ages 8 to 12.
  • Secondary Schools – ages 12 to 16 years.

Winners in each category receive prize money of £300 (1st place); £150 (2nd place); a framed winners certificate and a Cairngorms National Park flag to fly outside their establishment and demonstrate to their communities their achievements in outdoor learning. Entries are encouraged from all over Scotland so long as they have used the Cairngorms National Park as a topic for their outdoor learning either remotely or by visiting the Park. The deadline for entries is 30th May 2014.

The winners of the first ever Cairngorms National Park Outdoor Learning competition were Abernethy Nursery, Abernethy Primary School, Aviemore Primary School and the Bridge Intensive Support Unit in Inverness.

For more information or for entry forms please contact Alan Smith at the CNPA on tel: 01479 873535 or by email: