An understanding of rural issues by Geoffrey Cox

With Dartmoor on our doorstep, and the nearest coastline just a short drive away, we are lucky here in West Devon to be able enjoy the outdoors at its very best.

Our children are in the enviable position to be able to learn about nature and the British countryside first hand, without having to rely on textbooks or trips to neighbouring counties, an opportunity, which I think every child, should have. Great Britain is a “green and pleasant land”, where you are never more than 70 miles from the coast, and I want all children to leave school knowing about the diverse environments of the UK.

The Government clearly recognises the positive contribution that learning outside the classroom can make to pupils' study and development as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, and is therefore doing all it can to give more and more children the opportunity to undertake such trips as part of their early education.

That said, it is down to individual schools to decide how to teach, including what trips to take their children on. Every school will have different needs, and I believe this is a better approach than a centralised requirement. Rural schools such as ours will, for example, have no need of an excursion to ensure their pupils learn about the countryside, when they can simply step outside to enjoy the stunning beauty of Dartmoor.

It is, however, vital to encourage all children to develop an understanding of rural issues more broadly, to help essential industries such as fishing and farming to continue long-term, and the Government has therefore introduced the subject of food into the curriculum. This has included teaching about where food comes from and how it is produced, as well as more practical lessons in cookery.

In addition, agriculture and horticulture have been brought into the design and technology curriculum, which will help children who eventually go on to work in food and agriculture to develop the skills they need to excel in these vital British industries.

The Conservative party is committed to protecting our natural environment, keeping development sustainable and giving everyone the opportunity to access and enjoy the great British outdoors, and I will most certainly continue to do what I can in support of this.