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Educational Visits Policy

Why have Educational Visits?

 

Pupils can derive considerable educational benefit from taking part in visits. They have the opportunity to undergo experiences not available in the classroom; visits help to develop a pupil’s investigative skills and also encourage greater independence. They also provide pupils with knowledge and awareness of the world around them and encourage personal and social development.

 

Planning Visits

 

It is essential that formal planning takes place before setting off. This involves considering the dangers and difficulties which may arise and making plans to reduce them.

The group leader and other supervisors should monitor the risks throughout the visit and take appropriate action as necessary.

 

Before booking a visit the teacher should do a complete risk assessment and submit this with the appropriate paperwork to the vice principal and then principal for signing.

The teacher organizing the trip should take the following factors into consideration:

Other considerations which should form part of the planning stage include:

The teacher organising the trip should ensure that parents have early written information about the cost of the trip and as much detail as possible. If there is time, the letter should be translated so all parents fully understand the nature of the trip.

 

First Aid

 

The school nurse must accompany all school trips.

 

The minimum first-aid provision for a visit is:

Other considerations when considering first-aid should include:

Supervision – Responsibilities

 

Teachers must understand their roles and responsibilities at all times. In particular, all teachers should be aware of any pupils who may require closer supervision.

Preparing Students

 

Students who are involved in a trip’s planning and organisation, and who are well prepared, will make more informed decisions and will be less at risk. Providing information and guidance to students is an important part of preparing for a school trip. Students should clearly understand what is expected of them and what the trip will entail. Students must understand what standard of behaviour is expected of them and why rules must be followed.

 

Participation
Information to Pupils

 

The teacher in charge should decide how information is provided, but ensure that children understand key safety information.

 

Students should understand:

Emergency procedures.
Transport and Students

 

Students using transport on a visit should be made aware of basic safety rules including:

Students with Medical Needs

 

All teachers supervising visits should be aware of a student’s medical needs and any medical emergency procedures.

If the student’s safety cannot be guaranteed, it may be appropriate to ask the parent to accompany a particular child.

 

Parents should be asked to supply:
Communicating with Parents

 

The following information on matters that might affect pupil health and safety should be given to parents:

Parental Consent

 

Teachers must get consent from parents for any trip involving their child.

If parents withhold consent absolutely, the pupil should not be taken on the visit, but the curricular aims of the visit should be delivered to the pupil in some other way, wherever possible. 

Parental consent form should include: 

1.Whether the pupil suffers from travel sickness.

2.Any other information which the parent thinks should be known.

3.Medical Consent

Supervision on Transport

 

The group leader is responsible for the party at all times, including maintaining good discipline. All group members should be made aware of the position of the emergency door and first-aid and anti-fire equipment on transport.

Factors that the group leader should consider when planning supervision on transport include:

 

1.Safety when crossing roads – students need to know how to observe the safety rules.

2.The group leader should make clear to students how much or little freedom they have to ‘roam’. 

3.Appropriate supervision and discipline should be maintained at all times.

4.Head counts, by the group leader or another delegated teacher, should always be carried out when the group is getting off or onto transport.

5.Responsibility for checking that seat belts are worn.

6.Travel sickness tablets should only be administered to a pupil with previous authorisation from parents/guardians.

Hiring Coaches and Buses

The group leader is responsible for ensuring that coaches and buses are hired from a reputable company.

Private Cars

Teachers and others who drive students in their own car must ensure their passengers’ safety and that they have appropriate licence and insurance cover for carrying the students.

The driver is responsible for making sure that students have a seat belt and use it at all times.

Coastal Visits

Group leaders and other teachers should be aware that many of the incidents affecting students have occurred by or in the sea.

Emergency Procedures Framework During the Visit

If an emergency occurs on a school visit, the main factors to consider include:

The main factors for the school contact to consider include:

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