The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP)
The professional association for outdoor education advisers and educational visits advisers
As the lead body for guidance, advice and training related to outdoor learning and educational visits in England and Wales, the OEAP supports members in their work with schools and services to children and young people.
We believe every child in every school should have access to a comprehensive programme of high quality outdoor learning, educational visits and adventurous activities as an integral part of their school curriculum.
The OEAP recommends employing or engaging an OEAP member who can provide high quality advice and training. They have extensive, detailed and appropriate knowledge and experience of all relevant types of establishment and the range of outdoor learning, educational visits and adventurous activities that are provided to young people.
Evidence and practice
“When planned and implemented well, outdoor education, offsite visits and adventurous activities contribute significantly to raising standards and developing knowledge and skills in ways that add value to everyday experiences in the classroom.”
OEAP Training
The OEAP offers training in a number of areas related to educational visits and learning outside the classroom.
Training Courses
- Educational Visits Co-ordinator (EVC)
- Visit Leader (VL)
- Management of Visit Emergencies (MoVE)
- Outdoor Learning Cards (OLC)
- Environmental Learning Cards (ELC)
For further details visit the OEAP Training page.
OEAP structure, members and officers
The organisation is governed by an Executive Board consisting of elected directors and ex-officio members.
In addition, there are several working groups which manage a number of work streams or projects.
National Officers
- Executive Chair: Graham Lodge
- National Secretary: Richard Painter
- Treasurer: Dave Barham
Regional Chairs
- East: Stephen Brown
- Midlands: Mike Fawcett
- North East: Simon Willis
- North West: Kate Lodge
- South East: Clare Dobbs
- South West: Brendan Stone
OEAP Cymru/Wales
- Chair: Clare Adams
Non-voting board members
- Mike Evans
- Richard Painter: National Guidance and Communications Group Chair
- Stephen Brown: Training Group Chair
- David Scourfield: Membership Group Chair
OEAP membership
By Application:
Fellow – An Individual who meets the Accredited Member definition and who in addition; demonstrates through an application process that they have made significant contribution to the work of OEAP.
Accredited – An Individual who through an application process has been verified by OEAP as having the competencies to fulfil the role of an ‘Outdoor Education Adviser’ as described in OEAP National Guidance.
Please note that to apply to become a fellow or accredited member, you must first be accepted as an ordinary member.
Ordinary – An individual whose contracted role includes or supports the functions of an Outdoor Education Adviser and/or Educational Visits Adviser.
Associate – An individual who supports an OEAP Ordinary, Accredited or Fellow member in the delivery of their role.
Retired – A former OEAP member who has retired from their advisory role.
By Invitation:
Honorary – An individual who has been awarded an honorary position by the OEAP board to recognise significant and sustained contribution to our organisation.
Co-opted – An individual who has been co-opted by the OEAP board to advance the organisation through their knowledge and expertise.
Please contact the OEAP membership secretary for more details about joining and an application pack.
