PGL Beyond takes another step forward in sector leadership with appointment of Head of Impact & Breakthrough Learning
PGL Beyond, the UK’s leading outdoor education provider, has announced the appointment of Dr John Allan, a lead academic in Sports Pedagogy, Psychology and Adventure Education, to the new role of Head of Impact & Breakthrough Learning.
With PGL Beyond having raised outdoor education standards through its ground-breaking REACH framework focused on developmental outcomes, the appointment of Dr John will allow this to be strengthened further with a commitment to evidence-based educational provision for young people.
Dr John Allan is the new ‘Head of Impact & Breakthrough Learning’ at PGL Beyond
“Over the last few years, we have developed our programmes and offerings across all of our network of brands to ensure we are really meeting the changing needs of teachers and students, in outdoor learning,” says Alison Sudbury, COO of PGL Beyond.
“We believe this is the perfect opportunity to enhance our expertise and leadership further with the work and knowledge that Dr John Allan will bring to the business.”
Dr John joins PGL Beyond having had a similar role at Inspiring Learning, following its move into administration in January this year. With PGL Beyond acquiring three activity centres from Kingswood, an Inspiring Learning company, it took the opportunity to introduce this new, research-focused role to inform its own products, as well as contribute to knowledge in the wider industry.
Dr John has a PhD in Positive Psychology and Building Psychological Resilience through Outdoor Adventure, and among his published works is the recent study on the ‘Building resilience and well-being for post-covid adolescents through outdoor adventure’, published in the Institute of Outdoor Learning’s Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. This study, conducted on a group of 600 diverse adolescents, recorded impressive increases in resilience (36%) and mental wellbeing (23%) following the completion of an outdoor education adventure residential.
The appointment also complements PGL Beyond’s recent introduction of THRIVE!, a new wellbeing programme that blends mindfulness sessions, such as yoga and forest bathing, with outdoor activities.
“I’m excited to be joining PGL Beyond at a really exciting time both for the company and for the industry,” Dr John states.
“Among cuts to vital youth services and a youth mental health crisis in the UK, practitioners like PGL Beyond are fighting against the tide to champion young people and provide breakthrough through learning outside the classroom.”
Together, I sincerely believe we can create real, tangible outcomes for young people, and give the future generations the skills they need to thrive.”
As both a qualified outdoor practitioner and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Dr John brings a unique wealth of experience and passion for providing breakthrough moments for young people through learning outside the classroom.
