This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Providing greater confidence in school trips
30/12/2004
New advice on schools trips will give teachers the
confidence to take advantage of the variety of learning
opportunities that lie outside the classroom.
The simple-to-use guidelines will ensure all excursions
- from museum visits to hillwalking - are well planned and
put pupil safety first.
They will apply not only to schools but other
organisations such as youth groups and sports clubs.
Education Minister Peter Peacock said:
"Young people can benefit tremendously from outdoor
education, in all its forms, and we're lucky in Scotland to
have such a variety to choose from. Not only can it enrich
their school life, it can help pupils develop skills and
interests that will stay with them for the rest of their
lives.
"However, I'm very conscious of worries about pupil
health and safety and that this may be discouraging
teachers from organising school trips. That's why this new
guidance is so important, giving teachers, and others who
work with young people, the confidence to take them out of
the classroom environment, while reassuring parents that
their children are safe and secure.
"I am determined that more young people experience the
far-reaching benefits of outdoor education and we are
working to help schools and pupils make the most of outdoor
education. I hope this guidance will help to encourage
local authorities and schools to provide young people with
even greater opportunities than ever before."
The health and safety guidance has been issued to all
local authorities and independent schools.
The main guidance will cover:
- Responsibilities for visits
- Planning visits
- Supervision
- Communication with parents
- Preparing pupils
- Transport
- Insurance
- Types of visits
- Visits abroad
- Emergency procedures
Learning and Teaching Scotland will take forward the
development of outdoor education including the appointment
of a development officer and an audit of the current
provision of outdoor education.