Safeguarding Children

School Trips Policy

1.0

Standards of Care

1.1

School journeys and education visits are an extension of school activities.

1.2

Teachers responsible for supervising pupils taking part in journeys and visits are expected to act towards pupils as careful parents would towards his/her child in similar circumstances.

1.3

It is the professional duty as set out in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions for a teacher to maintain the good order and discipline of pupils and their health and safety.

1.4

In the case of a school journey all staff are responsible for pupils in their care 24 hours, 7 days a week.

1.5

Responsibility is not lessened because the duty is taken voluntarily.

1.6

Members of staff must take all responsible precautions for the safety of all the pupils in their care.

1.7

All school rules should still be applied.

1.8

A school visit is defined as taking place during one 24 hour period with no over night stop.

1.9

A school journey is defined as one that necessitates one or more over night stays.

1.10

All excursions and trips must be approved by the headteacher or his deputy.

2.0

Supervision

2.1

There are no statutory requirements for staff/pupil supervision ratios.

2.2

Levels of supervision need to be decided for each visit or journey according to the circumstances applying.

2.3

DFCS guidelines suggest that for pupils 11-16 there should be 1 adult for every 15/20 pupils.

2.4

If the group were of mixed gender then it would be appropriate to have at least one member of staff of each sex in the supervisory party.

2.5

Levels of supervision should be expressed as minimum requirements. Although it is understood that minimum requirements are not automatically regarded as the normal levels of supervision.

2.6

A teacher is defined as a qualified teacher employed by the LEA or Governing Body and on the staff of the school undertaking the visit or journey

2.7

It is the responsibility of the leader of the party to ensure that there is adequate information on the places to be visited and on safety procedures required. He/she must also ensure that all other supervisors are fully briefed and that all parents are fully informed about the arrangements for the visit or journey.

2.8

The party leader must carry either a personal or school mobile phone.

2.9

It is the responsibility for the leader to draw up and publish a written Risk Assessment before the journey or visit is undertaken.

2.10

For all school journeys there must be a nominated Senior Teacher to be 'On Call' in the case of emergencies. Party leaders should ensure that the contact number is known.

2.11

The On Call teacher should be supplied with an up to date list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of all those in the group.

2.12

Where there are hazzards involved in the trip (swimming, caving etc) one adult member of the party must be qualified to supervise such an activity.

3.0

Discipline and Emergency Procedures

3.1

The importance of good order and discipline must be emphasised pupils, parents and supervisors of the trip or journey.

3.2

The leader must make it clear what is expected of pupils by drawing up and publishing a code of behaviour, which must be accepted by each pupil and parents taking part in the journey or visit.

3.3

Pupils must be fully aware of what appropriate action will be taken if misbehaviour occurs.

3.4

Pupils must be fully briefed about what to do in cases of emergency.

3.5

Where there are outdoor activities the rules of one or more of the Country Code, the Mountain Code or the Outdoor Studies Code are relevant.

3.6

When a teacher is privately taking a party of children on an activity out of school hours and not organised by the school, it should be made clear to the parents in advance of the trip that the arrangement is between themselves and the teacher as an individual and that the school cannot accept any responsibility.

4.0

Parental Consent

4.1

In all cases parents or guardians must give written permission in advance for their child to accompany the trip or visit.

4.2

Parents must given written consent for any medical treatment.

4.3

The leader of the trip or visit must collate and take a complete list of emergency contact telephone numbers and addresses.

4.4

The leader of the trip should collate and take on the trip or visit a complete list of all current medical conditions of pupils accompanying the trip or visit.

4.5

In the event of an over night stay the Leader of the trip should organise a meeting for all parents in order to communicate procedures and to answer questions.

Procedure For Organising a Trip or Visit

Seek outline permission from the Head teacher for the trip or visit.
Collect an Organisers pack from Associate Headteacher’s Office.
Check the school diary for potential clashes and place date in diary.
Send relevant details out to parents. Give copy of letter to Deputy Head.
Consult Bursar about money collection arrangements and insurance details and EV1 details.
Complete approval form and return to Deputy Head so that it can be taken to governors.
Once the trip is viable send out consent forms to parents.
Draw up code of conduct and send to parents and inform pupils. Give copy to Deputy Head.
Draw up risk assessment and inform other members of the supervisory team. Give in one copy to Deputy Head.
Collect emergency telephone numbers and addresses. Give one copy to Deputy Head and one copy to school office.
Draw and finalise arrangements and times, address of where staying. Give one copy to Deputy Head and one to school Office.
Arrange if necessary Parents Meeting. Inform Deputy Head.
Consult with School Administration Manager about necessary cover implications.
Collect medical forms and collate list of medical conditions. Give one copy to Deputy head.
Give a list of all pupils going including their forms to the school office and the Deputy Head.
It would be good practice to collate all material pertaining to the trip into a file which can be left at school whilst the tip or visit is undertaken.

5.0

PREVENTATIVE AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

5.1

Ensure staff are familiar with school's fire and emergency routine.

5.2

Ensure staff are familiar with school's security procedures.

5.3

Ensure staff follow correct procedures with regard to school trips.

5.4

Ensure pupils sign in and out during school sessions.

5.5

Ensure staff are aware of medical needs of pupils in their classes or groups.

5.6

Ensure staff never have to deal with a potentially violent situation alone.