Arran Outdoor Education Centre is saved from closure!

Words and pictures by Jim Henderson

For some time there had been grave speculation that the AOEC was going to be part of the North Ayrshire budget cuts for 2023. A meeting was scheduled to be held on the 1st March.

Many people, including teachers who had been at the AOEC, wrote articles defending the history of the outdoor education, which were supported by a lot of the Arran Community including the Arran Community Council and the charity COAST who have a legal arrangement with the centre.

The Community Council in Arran wrote, “The AOEC cannot be considered as a luxury, but a valuable part of the curriculum for excellence through Outdoor Learning in North Ayrshire. The outdoor experience educates young people regarding nature, biodiversity and environment. It teaches them skills that they do not get to learn in the classrooms of their respective schools.”

The COAST team organised a protest march on Saturday 11th February. The public from aw parts of the Island congregated at the Lamlash Pier and over 300 people marched to the Centre being led by the Arran Pipe band.

Within a few days word was received that North Ayrshire Council have decided not to include the AOEC in their budget cuts of 2023.
However, community action may be required to ensure that this does not become an annual event to save the AOEC in the long term.

Co-organisers COAST wrote about the demo: We at COAST were so proud to support this event that brought together people of all ages and walks of life. A proper community event uniting people in their passion to defend children’s right to an outdoor classroom. In this digital age of climate and biodiversity crises, getting children outside is fundamental to their health and wellbeing.

Here is a short video COAST made (with drone photography by Chris Attkins) about the day: https://www.facebook.com/reel/941667290534434/?s=single_unit

And a link to an article in the Herald on 16th February about the campaign, and the decision not to cut the Centre’s budget is here