Adults other than teachers’ perspectives of their involvement at a primary school's outdoor learning club

Beaumont, Lee C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0345-4246, Maleki, M. Naeim and Priyadharshini, Esther ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9509-2865 (2026) Adults other than teachers’ perspectives of their involvement at a primary school's outdoor learning club. In: Association Internationale des Ecoles Superieures d'Education Physique (AIESEP) World Congress, 2025-07-15 - 2026-07-19.

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Abstract

Purpose: Over the last twenty years, debates in the outdoor learning (OL) literature have focused on the ‘professionalisation’ of outdoor leadership (e.g., teachers, instructors, coaches). However, within UK primary schools, OL extra-curricular clubs are becoming increasingly supported by volunteer helpers (e.g., parents, grandparents, teaching assistants) who possess little in the way of formal OL qualifications or experience. Known as Adults Other Than Teachers (AOTTs), these volunteers contribute to the learning and growth of children who attend these clubs. However, little research has explored the experiences of AOTTs in OL primary school settings, which is surprising given that the value AOTTs can bring to the learning environment within secondary schools is well documented (Blair & Beaumont, 2021). Particularly, some AOTTs have the knowledge and skill to assess the attainment of students, as well as supporting the planning and implementation of lessons (Blair & Beaumont, 2021). Therefore, the aim of this research was to explore AOTTs’ perspectives of their involvement at a primary school OL extra-curricular club, focusing on their perceived health benefits and opportunities for intergenerational learning. Methods: Eight AOTTs (18+ years) from a primary school in the East of England participated in a qualitative multi-method design that utilised semi-structured interviews and unstructured observations. Interview transcripts and observational fieldnotes were transcribed, coded and analysed. To support the analytical process, Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) socio-ecological model was adopted to understand the AOTTs’ perspectives during this project. Results: Braun and Clarke’s (2022) six-phase model will be used to establish themes. Data is currently being analysed and will report on the AOTTs’ perspectives of their involvement in supporting the learning of children at the primary school OL extra-curricular club. Conclusion: Reported in due course.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	volunteerism,outdoor learning,intergenerational,primary education,extracurricular
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Education and Lifelong Learning University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Sport, Health And Education Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Gender and Its Intersections Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Critical Cultural Studies In Education
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	09 Jul 2026 09:21
Last Modified:	09 Jul 2026 09:21
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/103802
DOI:

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