educational visits policy March 2018 - Amazon Web Services · coach or school minibus 1. Initial request form, including insurance details of driver / company 2. Copy of letter for

OffsiteandEducationalVisitsPolicy

CirculatedforConsultation:

PolicyWrittenon:March2018

ApprovedandSignedbySimonGarrill,ChiefExecutiveOfficer

ApprovedandSignedbyChairofGovernors

Tobereviewed:

TheGroveOffsiteandEducationalVisitsPolicyFebruary2018#1 1

RationaleSchoolvisits/tripsformanimportantpartofschoollife.Allclasseshaveregularsessionsoutintothecommunityusingtheschoolminibuses,walkingorlocaltransport.Thesevisitssupportthecurriculum,provideopportunitiestogeneraliseskillstaughtintheclass,andgiveourstudentsawiderexperienceoftheworldaboutthemIntroductionThispolicyshouldbecross-referencedwiththeTeachingandLearningandCodeofConduct

policiesforTheGroveandCriticalIncidents,AccidentReporting,SafeguardingPoliciesfor

HeartlandsHighSchoolandStMary’sPrimarySchool.

Thepurposeofthispolicyistosetuptransparentandefficientpracticearoundplanning

schooltrips.Weconsiderschooltripsanimportantpartofdevelopmentforchildrenand

endorsethemwheneverpossibleandappropriate.Schoolstripscanaddtostudentlearning,

engagementanddevelopment,andweusethemwheneverpossible.

Whohasresponsibilityforsafetyonschooltrips?

TheHeartlandsCommunityTrust,astheemployer,holdsoverallresponsibilityforthesafety

ofschooltrips,aspertheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct1974.Responsibilityisdelegatedto

theHeadTeacher.Shehastheoveralllegalresponsibilityandaccountabilityforthehealth,

safetyandwelfarefortheschoolstaff,andforthehealthandsafetyofstudents,visitors

andvolunteers.

EnsuringthesafetyofmostschooltripshasbeendelegatedtotheEducationalVisits

Coordinator,whorecommendstripsoncesuitablemeasureshavebeentakentoensure

theirsafety.

Teachersorganisingandtakingpartinschoolvisitsoff-siteacceptresponsibilityforthecare

andwelfareofstudents,andtheyactinlocoparentis.Theywillalsohavedutiesas

employeesand/ormanagersunderhealthandsafetyatworklegislation.Theyareexpected

tobehaveaccordingtocommonsense.

Expectationsandresponsibilities

Headteacher ● Isresponsibleforthesafetyforallschooltrips.Agreesresidentialtripsorthoseinvolvingadventureoroverseasactivities.

EducationalVisitsCoordinator

● Isresponsibleforagreeing,planningandensuringthesafeplanningofallschooltripsandrecommendingthemtotheHeadTeacher.Ensuresleadteachersareawareofresponsibilities.Checksrisk


assessmentstoensurebestpractice.Approvesallinlandonedaytrips.Monitorspractice.Seeksadvicefromexternalprovidersasnecessary.

Linemanagers ● Approvetherationaleofanyschooltriptobeundertaken,andareresponsibleforfollowingupandassessingthevalueofavisitafterwards

Leadteacher Teachersmust:● Writeatermlyschemeofworkforeducationalvisits,specifying

learningobjectivesandoutcomesanddetailingplacestheywillbevisiting.Thisschemeofworkcanbeincorporatedintoothercurriculumareasifthisseemsmoreappropriatee.g.linkingthegeographymodulefor‘OurLocalEnvironment’orscience–‘AnimalsandMini-beasts’witheducationalvisits.

● Carryoutanexploratoryvisittotheareaorvenueorgatheradequateinformationinotherways.

● Completeriskassessmentsfordaytrips,outofroutineeducationalvisits,(seeappendices).

● Ensureriskassessmentsconsiderthehealth,safetyandwelfareofallpartymembers

● Planandfollowupthevisitinawaythatismeaningfultothestudents.

● Ensurethatthereareenoughadultstosafeguardthestudentsandthatallpartymembersareclearaboutthepurposeofthevisit.

● Carryouton-goingriskassessmentsi.e.discussionsbetweengroupmembersandjudgementsmadebystaffduringavisittotakeaccountofchangesinplansorcircumstances.

● Ifapplicable,ensurethatatleastonememberofstaffhasbeentrainedinmedicalprocedures.Allmedicinestakenoutshouldbesignedfor(classadministrationofmedicinebook)andreturnedandsignedatendofvisit.

● InformSLTimmediatelyifthereareanyconcernsaboutthetripwhichmightaffectfuturevisitsorifthevisithadbeenparticularlysuccessfulandshouldbesharedwithotherstaffbyfillingin‘EvaluationofanEducationalVisitForm’(seeappendices).

● Ensurethatallstudentsaresecuredbyappropriatemeansi.e.seatbelts,carseats,clampsandbeltsforwheelchairs.

● FillinOffSiteVisitsBook(MainOffices)specifyingnamesofstaff,numberofstudentstakingpartintheeducationalvisitandnumberofstudentsfromtheclassremaininginschool;destination;timeoutandestimatedtimeofreturn;purposeofvisit.

● Takeamobilephonewiththemandkeycontactnumbers● Fordayoroutofroutinevisitensureallstudentsarewearing(or

carryingintheirpocket)abadgestatingschoolnameandtelephonenumber


● Takeacardwiththemthatcanbegivenouttomembersofthepublicifquestionsareaskedaboutapproachestomanagingbehaviouretc(seeappendices)

● Takewiththemwrittenproceduresineventofaseriousincidentoraccident.

Accompanyingstafforvolunteers

● Supportthetripleader;supportstudentsasrequiredbytripleader;ensuresafeandappropriatebehaviour.Behaveswithprofessionalismaccordingtothecodeofconduct.Acttoensurethehealth,safetyandwelfareofallonthetrip.

Parents/carers

● Giveconsentfortheirchildtogoonatrip.Informleadteachersofanymedicalorbehaviouralissuesofwhichtheyshouldbeaware.Provideaworkingemergencycontactnumber.Collecttheirchildasagreed.

StudentRatiosStudenttostaffratiosforschooltripsarenotprescribedinlaw.Thoseplanningtrips,onthebasisofriskassessment,shoulddecidetheratios,takingintoaccounttheactivitytobeundertakenandtheageandmaturityofthestudents.ThefinalsaylieswiththeHeadTeacherorwiththeEVCactingonherbehalf.Levelsofsupervisionshouldbedeterminedbyschoolriskassessmentforthetrip.Thefollowingactsasaguide;Groupbyageandminimumsupervisionrequired.Itisgoodpracticealwaystohaveatleasttwoadultsaccompanyinganygroupoff-siteexperiencesothatthereissomeflexibilityandreservecapacity.Theaboveratioswillchangeinaccordancewiththeneedsofthestudents.Foroverseasvisits,additionalreservecapacityandflexibilityareadvisable.Formixedgendergrouptrips,italsogoodpracticetohavemixedgenderstaffing.Howareschooltripsrisk-assessed?Alltripsneedariskassessment.Theaimoftheassessmentprocessistoidentifytherealrisks,assessthemandrecordthesignificantfindings.Thereisnoneedtoassesseveryaspectofeveryschooltrip.Proportionatesystemsshouldbeinplace,sothattripsthatpresentlowerriskarequickandeasytoorganise.Higher-riskactivitiesandadventureactivitiesshouldbeproperlyplannedandassessed.Low-riskactivitiesarethosethattypicallyinvolveeverydayrisks,suchasslipsandtrips.Theseshouldbedifferentiatedfromthemuchgreaterrisksassociatedwithoutdooradventurousactivitiessuchascaving,canoeing,rock-climbingetc.


Anytripmustincludeanemergencyplan.Thiswillfollowaclearprocedure:summoninghelpandgettingpromptmedicalattentionwhereneeded,ensuringthesafetyoftheparty,communicatingwiththeschooland,wherenecessarytheparent,anddelegatingresponsibilitywhereneeded.Seetheriskassessmentsheettodevisethisplan.ThisplanmustbeagreedanddiscussedwiththeEVCbeforedeparture.

ProcessToapplyforaschooltrip,staffneedtocompletetherequestformonline.TheEVCwillhavefivedaystoconsiderandwilladdthesetothecalendarandarrangecover,ifagreed.

Typeoftrip Documentsrequired Approvedby...

Deadline

DaytripinoroutsideLondonusingpublictransport

1. InitialrequestformsubmittedviaEvolve2. Copyofletterforparents3. Detailstobegiventostudents,andbriefing

forstaff4. Listofstudentsdetailingmedicalandlearning

needs/plans

EVC 5daysbeforedeparture

DaytripinoroutsideLondonusingprivatecoachorschoolminibus

1. Initialrequestform,includinginsurancedetailsofdriver/company

2. Copyofletterforparents3. Detailstobegiventostudents,andbriefing

forstaff4. Listofstudentsdetailingmedicalandlearning

needs/plans

EVC 10daysbeforedeparture

Daytripincludingadventureactivities

1. Initialrequestform,includinginsurancedetailsandALAstatusoforganisationtobeusedandtransport


forstaff4. Riskassessmentsummary5. Listofstudentsdetailingmedicalandlearning

needs/plans

HeadofSchool

10daysbeforedeparture

Residentialtrip 1. Initialrequestform,includinginsurancedetailsandqualificationlevelofaccommodationandtransporttobeused


forstaff

HeadofSchool

4weeksbeforedeparture


4. Riskassessmentsummary5. Listofstudentsdetailingmedicalandlearning

needs/plans6. Anitinerary

Residentialtripincludingadventureactivities

1. Initialrequestform,includinginsurancedetailsandqualificationlevelofaccommodationandtransporttobeused-mustcontainproofofALAlicence


forstaff4. Riskassessmentsummary5. Listofstudentsdetailingmedicalandlearning


HeadofSchool


Overseastrip 1. Initialrequestform,includinginsurancedetailsandqualificationlevelofaccommodationandtransporttobeused-mustcontainproofofmedicalinsurance


forstaff4. arrangementsandpassportdetails5. Riskassessment6. Listofstudentsdetailingmedicalandlearning


Thestaffmemberinchargemustcheckthelawsofthecountryofdestinationwithregardstolawsaroundinjuryanddeath,andchecktheinsurancepolicycoveringthetripcarefullywiththeSchoolBusinessManager.

HeadofSchool



Appendices Appendix 1

Sampleletter

Parentalcontact

Parentsneedtobefullyinformedaboutthetripandadvisedofdepartureandarrival

times,cost,emergencyprocedures,triprationaleandanypotentiallyhazardous

activities.Theymustgivepreciseinstructionsastowhethertheirchildmaybeleftto

makehis/herwayhomealone,ortoawaitcollection.Theyshouldalwayssignan

undertakingacceptingtheschool’srighttoactinlocoparentisintheeventofan

emergency:

Iagreetohim/herreceivinganyemergencydental,medicalorsurgicaltreatment,

includinganaestheticorbloodtransfusions,asconsiderednecessarybythemedical

authoritiespresent,andfortheteachertomakethesedecisionsinlocoparentisifI

cannotbecontacted.

Intheeventofanactiveorresidentialtriptheyshouldalsobegiventheaddressand

contactdetailsofthevenue,askedforswimmingabilityandaskedtosignaspecific

undertakingtoaccepttheelementofriskandremindtheirchildrenofthe

importanceoffollowingtheinstructionsofstaffatalltimes:

Iaccepttheelementofriskinthistripandwilldiscussseriouslytheneedformy

childtofollowinstructionswithoutquestion.

Theyshouldalsobeaskedtosignanundertakingtopayanycharges,although

failuretopaymaynotbeusedasareasonforachildnottoparticipateina

curriculumtrip.

Iundertaketopaythechargesapplicabletohis/herparticipationinthisvisit.

Theymustsignandprinttheirnameandaddcontactdetails.Anyexistingmedical

detailsmustbedeclaredontheform.Itisthenthejobofthevisitleadertodiscuss

thiswithRCandmakeappropriateprovision.Wheremedicationisneededonadaily

basistheformmustbecompletedasforschoolandastaffmemberappointedin

chargeofthis.


Exampleletter:

DearParent/Carer,

Re:WholeSchoolTriptoAladdin

AschooltriphasbeenarrangedtoseetheWestEndproductionof‘Aladdin’.Attendanceat

thismatineeproduction is not compulsorybutwewould like to encourageall students to

participate.Wearethrilledtohavebeendonatedticketstoseetheshowatadiscounted

rate.Forthisreason,ticketshavebeensubsidisedandstudentswillonlyhavetopay£8.00.

This is a good saving, as these seats would normally sell for £35.00 and this price also

includescoachtravel.

TheperformancedateisThursday25thFebruary2017.Allstudentswillbebroughttoand

fromthetheatrebyprivatecoach.Thecoachwilldepartfromthefrontofschool(Station

Roadentrance)at1.30pm.Theperformancestartsat3.00pm,andweaimtoreturnyour

childtoschoolby6.00pm.Lunchwillnotbeprovided,butstudentsmayeatapackedlunch

onthecoach,ormaypurchaselunchintheusualwaybeforedeparture.

It is essential that payment for the theatre ticket is received by the 18th January 2016.

ChequesmustbemadepayabletoHeartlandsHighSchool.Cashorchequesshouldbeina

namedenvelopeandhandeddirecttoMrsHuseyinintheschooloffice.

Pleasereturnthistear-offslipwithpaymentassoonaspossible.

Yourssincerely,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----

StudentName………………………………………. Class:……………..

Pleasetickifyourchildisentitledtoafreeschoolmeal

Igivepermissionformychildtoattendthematineeproductionof‘Aladdin’onThursday

25thFebruary2016,andenclosepaymentof£8.00.

Ihavewrittenoverleafanycrucialmedicalinformation,suchasallergies,diabetes,etc.

Iagreetohim/herreceivinganyemergencydental,medicalorsurgicaltreatment,including

anaestheticorbloodtransfusions,asconsiderednecessarybythemedicalauthorities


present,andfortheteacherinchargetomakedecisionsinlocoparentisifIcannotbe

contacted.

SignatureParent/Carer………………………………………………Date:…………….


Appendix2

Detailsforstaffandstudents:pleasebereadytodiscussthis

Studentbriefingdetails Staffbriefingdetails


Appendix3:

Riskassessmentsummary

Inordertocutbureaucracy,pleasecompletethefollowingform.Pleaseconsultthe

checklist(Appendix4)tohelpassesswhatriskstheremaybe.

Nameoftrip: Leadteacher:

Destinationoftrip:

Risks Plansfordealingwiththisrisk

Signatureofleadteacher:

SignatureofEVC: SignatureofHeadTeacher(ifneeded):


Appendix4:

Riskassessmentchecklist

Youshouldusethislisttocheckandplanforpossiblehazardsandaddtoyourriskassessmentsheet,ifneeded.

Allvisits/activities

Injury,fatality,personleftbehind/separatedfromgroup.Illnessofstudentormemberofstaff

studentsandstaff,volunteers,parents

● Alltravelarrangementstobeestablishedbeforetrip

takesplace

● Reputabletouroperators/travelcompaniesareused

● Appropriateandsufficientinsuranceisobtainedto

safeguardallpossiblerisks

● SuitableratioinlinewithLEApolicyforstaff/students

● Clearbriefingtostudentsandstaffaboutany

significantrisks,rolesandresponsibilities

● Headcountatappropriatetimes

● Discussitineraryandarrangementswithstudents

● Departureandreturntimesmadeknowntostudents,

staffandparents

● Contingencyplaninplaceintheeventoflatenessor

incident

● Mobilephonescarriedifavailable

● Sufficienttoiletbreaksbuiltintojourneytimes

● Accompanyingstafftohavefirstaidexperience

● Firstaidkitstobecarriedoraccesstofirstaid

arrangementsmadeknowntoallstaffandstudents

● Groupleaderand/ordeputyknowshowtocall

emergencyservices/BritishConsulate/Embassy,both

athomeandabroad

● students/parentsremindedtobringindividual

medicationandthisiskeptsecurely

● Informationonstudentmedicalneedisknownin

advance

Hazard

LevelofRisk

Whomightbe

Istheriskadequatelycontrolled?


harmed

Onfoot Asabove Asabove ● Journeyisplannedtoavoidfastroadswherepossible

● Closesupervisionfrontandbackonpavements,roads,

lanesandcrossingpoints

● studentstobebriefedre.hazardsandbehaviour

required

● Highvisibilityclothinguse

● Considermostsuitablesideofroad,facingoncoming

traffic

● Leadershavetorchesforuseindark

Useofpublictransport

Asabove Asabove ● Identifyhighriskpointsincludinggettingonandoff

transport

● Haveaspecificplanfortheseincludebriefingstaffand

studentsandheadcounts

● Largerpartiessplitintomanageablegroups(unless

remotesupervisionhasbeenagreed).Eachpartwith

adequatestaffingtoensureallstudentsgetonandoff

transportsafely.Forcrowdedtransportsituations

suchasLondonUndergroundthiscanrequireveryhigh

ratios

● Allstaffandstudentsknowdestinationandrouteand

knowwhattodoifseparatedfromthemaingroup

● (Unlessremotesupervisionagreed)staffarewith

studentsineachcarriage,deckofthebus,etc

●

Hazard LevelofRisk Whomightbeharmed



Useofprivatevehicle/coaches

Injury,fatality

Asabove ● Timesoftrainstobecheckedbeforeleavingforthe

stationtoensurethattherearenodelaysortrains

havebeencancelled

● studentssitinseatsprovidedwhereverpossibleorto

holdontotheappropriatehandholdsforstability

● studentsareencouragedtostandwellclearofthe

platformedgeandarecloselysupervisedbystaff

whilstontheplatform

Useofprivatevehicle/coaches

Injury,fatality

Asabove

● Driverconfirmsthatvehicleisinsuredtocarrystudents

andstaff

● Seatbeltsarewornatalltimes

● Permissionisobtainedfromparents

● Vehicleisroadworthy

● Childprotectionissuesareaddressed

● studentstoremainseatedatalltimesthevehicleisin

motion

● Allbaggagetobestoredinoverheadlockersorunder

seats

● Aislestobekeptclear

Minibuses

Injury,fatality

Asabove ● Minibusisappropriatelymaintainedandcheckedprior

tothejourney

● Minibusdriver(s)iscompetentsuchavehicleandhas

passedtheDCCtest

● Driverchecksthatseatbeltsareworn

● Vehicleloadingisappropriateandaislesarenot

blocked

● DriverfollowsDCCrecommendedpractice

● Suitableembarkingpointsareused

● Closesupervisionandheadcountsandbreaksin

journeyandgettingonandoffminibus

● Avoiddrivingwhentired


● Sufficientstopsplannedforlongerjourneys

Walkingabouttowns/cities

Injury,separationfromgroup/abduction

Asabove ● Suitableroadcrossingpointsareusedtocrosstheroad

● Allmembersofpartykeepvaluablesoutofsight,

phoneslockedinbagsetc

● Childrenaresupervisedcloselyandregularmeeting

pointsarearrangedtocheckonnumberstoensureall

thepartycanbeaccountedfor

● Uniformorsimilarcolouredclothingtobeworn

● Schoolnamebadgestobeworn–butnotnamesof

children

● studentstobeencouragednottorunbuttowalkatall

times

● Everybodyisencouragedtowearsensibleshoesiflots

ofwalkingisinvolved

● Routetobemappedoutpriortovisittakingplaceand

maptakenforanyrequireddeviation

Visitstopublic/privatebuildings(theatres,museumsetc)

Injury,fatality,separationfromgroup,abduction

Asabove ● Riskassessmentfortheactivitiesmustbeobtained

beforetheseareagreed

● Onaccessingpublicorprivatebuildings(egtheatres,

museumsetc)allmembersofthepartyaremade

awareofthefireprocedureswhentheyfirstenterthe

buildingandgroupseitherhaveaguideorexperienced

memberofstafftosupportthem

Hazard

LevelofRisk

Whomightbeharmed


Exposuretoweatherconditions

Fatality,heatinjuries,coldinjuries,over-exposureto

Asabove ● Considerpossibleweatherconditionsandplan

appropriateprogramme,clothingandequipment

(warmandwaterproofclothingand,insummer,sun

protection)

● Planforstudentswhomayordonotbringsuitablekit.


sun Checkbeforedepartureand/orbringspares

● Dailyweatherforecastobtainedandplansadjusted

accordingly

Exposuretoanimals,insectsandpoisonousplants

Injury,fatality

Asabove ● Avoidhighrisksituations

● Takenecessaryavoidanceactionifencountered

● Ensurethosewithknownallergiescarrymedication

● Ensurethatstudentsfollowhygieneproceduresafter

contactwithanimals,insectsorplants

Returnfromvisitsparticularlyafterschoolhours

Non/latecollectionbyparents/anxiety

● Thereturnispre-plannedandparentsareinformed

wheretocollectstudentsfromor,ifpre-arrangedwith

parents,olderstudentswillwalkhome

● Suitablearrangementsaremadeforstudentswhose

parentsfailtocollectthem

Emergencies

Asabove ● Agreeanemergencyplanfordealingwithanincident

onaneducationalvisit

● Contactdetailsofparents,groupleaders,schoolsand,

ifappropriate,headteacher/schoolcontactsafter

hoursnumbersareheldbygroupleaderandschool

contact

● Leader/head/schoolcontacthaveinstructionsasto

whattodoinanemergency

Hazard

LevelofRisk

Whomightbeharmed


Fieldstudiescentre/adventureactivitycentrevisits

Injury,fatality,separationfromgroup,abduction

Asabove ● Ensurethatadventure/activitycentresareapproved

andhaveappropriateriskassessments(ie.Ensure

formHSV3/03hasbeencompleted)


Fieldtrips/activitiestripsorganisedbyschool

Injury/fatality

Asabove ● Ensurestudentsareinformedofappropriateclothing

andfootwearforthetrip/activityandground

conditions

● Ensurestudentshavebeenbriefedonappropriate

behaviournearwaterhazards

● Ensurestudentsareproperlysupervisednearwater

hazardsie.Riverwalking,ponddipping,swimming,

coastalactivities

● Ensurestudentsremaininappropriategroupsizesat

alltimes

Servicestationandotherbreaksinjourney

Injury,fatality,separation,abduction

Asabove ● Briefstudentsre.purposeandtimeofstop

● Briefstudentsonhowandwheretocontactstaff

● Briefstudentstoremaininpairsorthrees–buddy

system–eachresponsiblefortheother

● Remindstudentsaboutmovingtrafficandother

hazards

● Carefulheadcountbeforedeparture

Ferrycrossing

Injury,fatalityseparation

Asabove ● Closesupervisiononvehicledeck

● Rulesestablishedandstudentsbriefedespeciallyre.

opendeckareas(notpermittedinthedarkorin

roughseas),wetsurfacesandship’smovement

● Explaintheferryemergencyprocedures(termmuster

stationetctogroup)

● Musterstationsmadeknowntostudentsonboarding

● Remaininpairsandthrees–buddysystem–each

responsiblefornamedother

Hazard

LevelofRisk

Whomightbeharmed


● Establishaspecificseatingarea/meetingpointand

haveamemberofstafftherethroughoutthecrossing


● Planarrangementsfordocking,remindinggroupof

numbered

● Stairwaystocoachdeck

● Studentsmadeawareofpossibleproblemsusing

stairwaysfromlargenumbersofpassengersand

luggage

● Carefulheadcountbeforedeparture

● Plannedprocedureformissingstudentseg.Member

ofstafftoleaveasfootpassenger

Useofpassengerferrycrossings

Drowning,injury

Asabove ● Leadermustcheckvehiclelicence

● Leadershouldriskassessjourneywithreferenceto

size/ageofstudents

● Considerareaswheresmallpeoplecouldfall

(overboardordownstairways)andarrange

supervision

● Considerif/wherepersonalbuoyancyshouldbeworn

● Withgroupsofsmallchildrenleadermustpre-check

crafthassufficientpersonalbuoyancyofappropriate

sizes

Leader’sownchildren

Possibleconflictingpriorities

Asabove ● Ifstafforvolunteers’familiesjoingroupstudent

supervisionmustnotbecompromised

● Staffchildrenaresimilartoagetogroupand

supervisedwithstudentsorseparatesupervisionmust

bearranged

● Ensurethatadequateinsurancecoverisobtainedfor

thesepersons

Exchangeortwinningvisits

Unfamiliaritytopersonsorlocation.Languagebarriers

Asabove Reassurancetobeobtainedpriortothetripcommencingthatallarrangementshavebeenputinplaceandanychecks,includingcriminalchecks,havebeenundertakenwherereasonablypracticableFamiliarisationofthehostpremisesandlocationtobeencouragedbythehostfamily


Thisriskassessmentmustbediscussedandallriskcontrolmeasuresconfirmedusingthe

riskassessmentsummaryform.


Appendix5:

Whatisthelegislationaroundschooltrips?

ThekeylegislationistheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974.TheActrequires

employerstoensurethehealthandsafetyoftheiremployeesandnon-employees,sofaras

isreasonablypracticable.TheActalsoplacesdutiesonindividualstotakecareforthe

healthandsafetyofthemselvesandothers.

TheActissupplementedbyregulationswhichmakethegeneralrequirementsmoreexplicit.

Keyregulationsinclude:

● theManagementofHealthandSafetyRegulations1999,whichrequireemployers

toundertakeriskassessmentsandputmeasuresinplacetocontrolthesignificant

risks;

● theAdventureActivitiesLicensingRegulations2004,whichrequirecertain

providersoffacilitiesforadventureactivitiestobelicensed

ThismeansthatalltripsneedtoberiskassessedandapprovedbytheEducationalVisitsCoordinatorandtheHeadTeacher.Whoenforceslegislationforschooltrips?SomeeducationalvisitsinGreatBritainwillbetopremiseslicensedundertheAdventureActivitiesLicensingRegulations2004.Inbroadterms,HSEistheenforcingauthorityforsitesrunbyeducationalproviders,includingallcentresrunbylocalauthorities(LAs).ManyLAshavetheirowncentres,althoughthesemaybesomedistancefromtheLAitself.LAswillbetheenforcingauthorityfortheremainingproviders,includingcommercialproviderssuchasmulti-activityholidaycentres.ThedutiesintheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974andtheregulationsmadeunderit

applytoactivitiestakingplaceonoroffschoolpremises(includingschoolvisits)inGreat

Britain.

AnyincidentoccurringoverseasisoutsideHSE'sjurisdictionandHSEwillnotinvestigateor

takeactioninrelationtotheactualcircumstancesoftheincidentitself.Whethercriminal

chargesshouldarisefromsuchincidentswouldbeamatterfortherelevantnational

authoritiestoconsiderandpursue.Somecountriesmayallowparentsandotherpartiesto

institutecivilactionsorprivateprosecutionsfollowingdeathorinjury.

HSEcan,however,consideranycircumstancesrelatingtoactivitiescarriedoutinGreat

Britaintosupportaparticularvisitwhichmayrevealsystemicfailingsinthemanagementof


schooltrips.Thiscouldincludegeneralmanagementarrangements,ieriskassessmentsfor

theactivities,trainingandcompetenceofstaff,co-operationandco-ordinationwithother

parties

Whohasresponsibilityforsafetyonschooltrips?TheHeadTeacher,astheemployer,holdsoverallresponsibilityforthesafetyofschooltrips,aspertheHealthandSafetyatWorkAct1974.S/hehastheoveralllegalresponsibilityandaccountabilityforthehealth,safetyandwelfarefortheschoolstaff,andforthehealthandsafetyofstudents,visitorsandvolunteers.

EnsuringthesafetyofschooltripshasbeendelegatedtotheEducationalVisitsCoordinator,

whorecommendstripsoncesuitablemeasureshavebeentakentoensuretheirsafety.

Teachersorganisingandtakingpartinschoolvisitsoff-siteacceptresponsibilityforthecare

andwelfareofstudents,andtheyactinlocoparentis.Theywillalsohavedutiesas

employeesand/ormanagersunderhealthandsafetyatworklegislation.

Teacherswillonlybecomepersonallyliableiftheyignoreclear,direct,instructionsabout

seriousrisksanddepartfromallcommonsense.Teacherswhotrytoactresponsiblywillbe

ontherightsideofthelaw.

Howareschooltripsrisk-assessed?Low-riskactivitiesarethosethattypicallyinvolveeverydayrisks,suchasslipsandtrips.Theseshouldbedifferentiatedfromthemuchgreaterrisksassociatedwithoutdooradventurousactivitiessuchascaving,canoeing,rock-climbingetc.Alltripsneedriskassessment.However,theaimoftheassessmentprocessistoidentifytherealrisks,assessthemandrecordthesignificantfindings.Thereisnoneedtoassesseveryaspectofeveryschooltrip.Proportionatesystemsshouldbeinplace,sothattripsthatpresentlowerriskarequickandeasytoorganise.Higher-riskactivitiesandadventureactivitiesshouldbeproperlyplannedandassessed.ThetermadventureactivityisbroadlydefinedintheAdventureActivitiesLicensingRegulations2004,ascaving,climbing,trekkingorwatersports.Providersofferingandchargingforthesetypesofactivitiestothoseunder18mustbelicensed.Adventureactivitiesabroaddonothavetobelicensed.ThoseresponsiblefororganisingandleadingschoolvisitstofarmsshouldreadPreventingorcontrollingillhealthfromanimalcontactatvisitorattractionshttp://www.face-online.org.uk/resources/preventing-or-controlling-ill-health-from-animal-contact-at-visitor-attractions-


industry-code-of-practiceandtheassociatedsupplement'Advicetoteachersandotherswhoorganisevisitsforchildren'.Thisprovidesguidanceonwhattodobefore,duringandaftervisitstominimisetheriskofchildrencatchingdiseasesfromanimals.Arepeatedtripmayneednonewriskassessment,althoughareviewofstaffingratioswouldbeappropriateinthelightofthestudentsgoing.Thepurposeofariskassessmentistoidentifysensiblewaysofmanagingrisks-ifthoserisksarealreadyunderstoodandwellmanagedthenanewassessmentwouldaddnoextravalue.Whatistheappropriatestafftostudentratio?Studenttostaffratiosforschooltripsarenotprescribedinlaw.Thoseplanningtrips,onthebasisofriskassessment,shoulddecidetheratios,takingintoaccounttheactivitytobeundertakenandtheageandmaturityofthestudents.ThefinalsaylieswiththeHeadTeacherorwiththeEVCactingonherbehalf.Levelsofsupervisionshouldbedeterminedbyschoolriskassessmentforthetrip.Thereshouldbeclearboundariesandclearlinesofcommunication.RemotesupervisionisconsideredbyDfEtobepartofthedevelopmentprogramme;itshouldbephasedingraduallybecauseitisimportantforchildrentolearntobeindependent.Whatisthelawwithregardstousingoutsideproviders?TheCouncilforLearningOutsidetheClassroomrunsanaccreditationschemeforproviders.

TheLOtCQualityBadgerecognisesproviderswhooffergood-qualitylearningoutsidethe

classroomandmanageriskeffectively.Aspartofthisprocess,theCouncilisworkingto

reducebureaucracyinschools,whilemaintainingsafetyandqualityinlearning.TheQuality

Badgeschemeisvoluntaryandschoolsarefreetouseanyunbadgedprovider.

Teacherswillbeaskedtofeedbackonthequalityofprovisionused.

Howshouldaccidentsorinjuriesbereported?AnyincidentsshouldbereportedusingtheschoolaccidentformasoutlinedwithintheHealthandSafetyPolicies[HeartlandsHighSchoolandStmary’sprimarySchool].

EqualOpportunitiesAllstudentsatTheGrovehaveadiagnosisofautismandassuchareconsideredtohaveadisability.Takingthisintoaccount,westillbelievethatallstudentshavetherighttoparticipateinschooltripsunlessriskassessmentdeterminesthattheywouldpostasignificantrisktoothersifincluded.Somespecifiedmedicalconditions,HIV,multiplesclerosisandcancerareallconsideredasdisabilities,regardlessoftheireffect.Wewould


alwaystrytoensurethateverystudent,regardlessoftheirdisabilityhastheequalopportunityandaccesstoeducationalvisits/trips.Forindividualstudents,schoolshaveadutytomake‘reasonableadjustments’toalleviate

themsufferinganysubstantialdisadvantage.Thisincludessupplyingauxiliaryaidsand

services:Theseareknownasreasonableadjustments.

TheEqualityAct2010requireseducationproviderstomake‘reasonableadjustments’to

ensurethatdisabledstudentscanfullyparticipateintheeducationprovided.TheEquality

andHumanRightsCommissionhasproducedspecificguidanceonreasonableadjustments

fordisabledstudentsat;http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/private-and-public-sector-

guidance/education-providers/schools-guidance/key-concepts/reasonable-adjustments

Thepublicsectorequalitydutyplacespositiveobligationsoneducationalestablishments–

theaimistopreventproblemsfromarising,ratherthandealingwiththemaftertheyhave

occurred,whenit’softentoolate.SpecificguidanceforschoolsisavailableontheEquality

andHumanRightsCommissionwebsite.http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-

guidance/education-providers-schools-guidance/

Foracurriculumtrip.theinabilityoftheparentorcarertopaymaynotbeusedasareason

toexcludethem.


Appendix6:

GuidancearoundworkexperienceplacementsParentswillbeaskedforapprovalforallstudentstogoonworkexperience.AllplacementsarecheckedbyHaringeyEducationandBusinessPartnership.Allcopiesofvettingandchecksarerequestedandreceivedbeforeplacementscommence.Allstudentsareescortedinthefirstinstancetoanyworkexperienceplacementuntilasufficientplantowardsindependenceisagreedandputintoplaceincollaborationwiththeprovider.Allstudentsarebriefedandhaveareferencetosupportthemonactiontotakeincaseofanyconcerns.Whereneeded,additionalstaffingisagreedtosupportvulnerablestudents.


Appendix7:

Guidancearounduseofmini-busAllstaffwhoneedtousethemini-busmustapplytoLA,whowillensurethattheytakethetestadministeredbyD1.ThesestaffwillreceiveacertificateofcompetenceandbebriefedbyLAaboutuseoftheschoolmini-bus.Nootherstaffmaydrivetheminibus.