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.