Mountains of evidence!

We’ve launched a major new national research trial to explore a big question we hear time and again: what difference can adventure learning really make for young people at risk of disengaging from education?

Funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and led independently by the University of York, the study will involve 1,584 pupils from 66 state-funded secondary schools across England. It will test whether a five-day Outward Bound residential can strengthen self-regulation, resilience, wellbeing and engagement with learning for pupils in Year 9.

This is one of the largest studies of its kind into adventure learning. Schools taking part will be randomly allocated to one of two groups as part of a robust research design. Half will attend a five-day residential outdoor learning course at an Outward Bound centre, while the remaining schools will form a control group, allowing outcomes to be compared fairly.

The trial will run from May 2026 to October 2027, with residentials taking place between November 2026 and May 2027. Pupils will complete short questionnaires at key points during the study, and some staff and pupils will also be invited to share their experiences through interviews or focus groups.

Martin, our Chief Executive, said:

“We’re after mountains of evidence, not just good intentions. We see every day what happens when young people are trusted with real challenge and given space away from everyday pressures.

“This study gives us the chance to test adventure learning properly and share what we find. If it helps young people build the resilience, self-regulation and confidence they need to re-engage with learning, that’s something schools and policymakers need to know.”

To make participation possible, the trial is 83% funded by the EEF and The Outward Bound Trust. Schools allocated to the intervention group will receive the residential programme at a significantly reduced cost, with additional support available for travel. Schools in the control group will receive funding to support pupil development and participation in the evaluation.

We’ll be prioritising schools where more than 24% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, ensuring the research focuses on young people most likely to benefit from additional support.

The findings will be published independently by the EEF and made freely available, helping to strengthen the evidence base for how outdoor learning can support young people within and alongside the classroom.

Schools interested in taking part, or keen to find out more, can register their interest by hitting the button below