How cutting red tape for school trips could mean more pictures like these

8:00am Tuesday 11th March 2008

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TAKING pupils out of the classroom and into the world is a crucial part of education. It broadens their experiences and opens their minds to new cultures.

But school trips need a major amount of planning and attention to detail by those in charge, and a familiarity with the laws and regulations that govern such activities.

Failure to take account of this can lead, at best, to a disappointing experience for students, parents and teachers and, in the worst scenario, injury, death and possible court appearances. It's perhaps no surprise that many schools have steered away from taking their pupils out of the classroom.

But now the Government has announced it is to reduce the red tape involved in organising trips and expeditions. Organisations that host school or other youth group visits, such as museums, historic houses, field study centres and farms, will be encouraged to qualify for quality badges', which will help teachers identify places that provide high-quality learning outside of the classroom, and are managing safety effectively. This will help reduce the bureaucratic burden of risk assessment on teachers.

Schools in Worcestershire have welcomed the news, although they said the burden of form-filling had never prevented them from giving their youngsters an opportunity to explore the wider world.

Neil Morris, headteacher at Worcester's Christopher Whitehead Language College, said: "As a language college, we take our pupils to nine different countries each year. Learning outside of the classroom is a vital part of education and something we embrace.

"Of course, there are certain procedures and precautions that have to be taken, but we would never let this stop us from taking our pupils abroad, or elsewhere."

The school has links with countries across Europe, including Italy, Austria, Germany and France, and also takes pupils on adventure trips in Britain, including to the recently saved' Llanrug Outdoor Education Centre in North Wales.

"We have a vast amount of experienced staff with the right health and safety and first aid qualifications that organise our trips," Mr Morris said.

"We have to carry out risk assessments and ensure that we have appropriate trained staff.

"I'm delighted and gratified that so many of our staff give up their holiday times to take the pupils."

Evidence shows that learning outside of the classroom brings benefits to pupils such as deeper subject learning, increased self confidence and raised achievement. It can also help young people to understand and manage risk.

Sean Devlin, principal at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester, said: "School trips provide an enormous amount of opportunities for pupils. They provide a massive broadening of their own environment and experiences and bring about an awareness of other cultures."

Pupils at Blessed Edwards have opportunities to take part in trips to Canada, Italy, France, Thailand and India, among others.

Mr Devlin said: "We want our pupils to have the chance to see as much of the world as we can offer. I welcome the news that it is going to be easier for schools to take part in such trips, although I have never felt that the paperwork is too much. It is all necessary and manageable."

In the past 20 years, about 50 children have been killed on school outings and the past decade has seen the repeated introduction of new health and safety guidance. Many teachers are now reluctant to organise more adventurous school trips because of fears of litigation.

David Keyte, principal at Bredon School, near Upton-upon-Severn, said: "In recent years, health and safety requirements have become almost overwhelming, involving endless risk assessments. So if the Government goes ahead with its plan for a quality badge identifying sites with the highest safety standards, this would be a real boon.

"Of course, paperwork in itself doesn't keep children safe - that's down to the staff on a trip. We're fortunate to have a dedicated team of professionals willing to take on the responsibilities of supervising children away from school."

The Out and About guidance on school visits will be available from May and the quality badge from September.