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School Trips Health and Safety Educational Visits
- Flick Learning
- May 27
- 5 min read
School trips are one of the most exciting parts of education. Most of us have fond memories of the trips to museums, the countryside, or other cultural and historical sites. But as with all adventure, there are risks.
The UK government sets out certain rules about health and safety during education visits, including how to perform a school trip risk assessment, understanding the responsibilities of the teachers and trip leaders involved, and what to do in an emergency situation.
Below, we cover the basics of school trip health and safety, providing you with everything you need to know to keep things as safe as they are fun. Including:
Why Health and Safety Matters on School Trips
There’s only so much you can learn in the classroom. School trips offer a chance to learn a different set of skills or to see new things that can engage, excite, and reframe everything the pupils are learning. But there’s a balance between educational value and pupil safety.
While school trips can feel novel and exciting to the pupils, the best trips involve a lot of planning to reduce the risk of accidents, disruptions, and legal risks. Parents are, after all, entrusting their children into the protection of teachers and volunteers. That comes with a legal duty to look after children, safeguarding them when they’re away from home.
What Are the Risks of School Trips?
The risks on school trips are as varied as the trips themselves. Some risks are obvious, like physical accidents or transport-related problems. Others are not so obvious. For example, more than 30 pupils found themselves stranded in Iceland in 2010 after a volcanic eruption.
Common risks include:
Slips, trips, and falls remain some of the most common school trip accidents, especially in unfamiliar environments, outdoor areas, or crowded public spaces.
Transport-related risks can include road traffic accidents, unsafe boarding procedures, delays, or pupils becoming separated during travel.
Weather and environmental conditions such as heavy rain, extreme heat, icy surfaces, or uneven terrain can quickly increase safety concerns during educational visits.
Water-based activities, coastal trips, and adventure centres often carry higher levels of risk and require additional supervision, planning, and specialist safety measures.
Knowing the Legal Responsibilities for Educational Visits
According to the UK government, for non-routine or higher-risk trips, schools are expected to carry out suitable risk management and record the steps taken.
Schools must always get written consent from parents or carers for trips that need a higher level of risk assessment or that occur outside of school hours.
During the trip, the teachers and volunteers have safeguarding obligations for pupils and must follow the guidance set out by local authorities or academic trusts.
Schools and other educational institutions need to train their staff on the changing laws and regulations in this area. That can be a challenge with a learning management system like flick.
Ensure You Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment
A risk assessment is a formal process of identifying potential hazards, assessing the probability and severity of each hazard, and setting out what will be done to reduce or eliminate any risks. It’s a legal requirement for non-routine school trips.
The process is fairly straightforward:
Gather information about the trip, including destination, transport, accommodation, and activities.
Identify potential risks for each item.
Evaluate the severity and probability of the risks identified.
Decide on control measures to mitigate risks, e.g., creating contingency plans, or choose a reliable travel company.
Record findings clearly and share them with relevant staff.
How to Plan a Safe and Successful School Trip
A lot of what determines a school trip's success comes down to common sense. There are two aspects to consider:
The trip is appropriate for the pupils' age and ability, including a suitable destination and activities.
The trip is well-planned. Ensure that everything from the events, transport, and accommodation is carefully laid out in advance, then communicate the timeline clearly to parents and pupils.
Insurance, certifications, and contingency plans are also essential to provide an extra layer of protection should anything go wrong.
Transport Safety Considerations
Transport is one of the main areas where something can go wrong. Select a reputable transport company, book tickets well in advance, and plan for cancellations. You’ll want to see documentation proving driver qualifications.
Emergency Planning and Procedures
Things can go wrong in an instant. Lay out clear guidance for what happens in an emergency. That includes who to contact, who’s in charge, and what should happen. Potential emergencies include injury or illness, a missing child, and severe weather.
Medical Needs and First Aid Preparation
You’ll need to gather medical information before the trip. Have clear documentation listing each child’s medical problems, e.g., allergies, asthma, diabetes, and any medications. Dietary issues are another key factor.
Medication should be stored safely with the relevant adult. Every trip should have access to appropriate first aid provision, including a trained first aider and a complete first aid kit where necessary.
Plan Staff Roles and Responsibilities on School Trips Before you Leave
Every school trip should have clearly defined staff roles and responsibilities. A trip leader is usually responsible for overseeing the visit, coordinating staff, and ensuring all safety procedures are followed throughout the day.
Schools should also ensure there are enough staff members to supervise pupils safely, with appropriate ratios depending on the age group, destination, and activities involved. Staff and volunteers should understand emergency procedures, communication protocols, and safeguarding responsibilities before the trip begins.
Don't Forget a Post-Trip Review for Continuous Improvement
After the school trip or education visit, plan a debrief with staff. Find out what went well and what didn’t so you can make improvements for next time. Gaining student and parental feedback is also important for insights into how the trip went and what you could do differently next time.
Support School Trip Safety with flick
flick Learning is an online learning management system that helps schools with educational compliance. We have a host of courses and resources that teach staff the latest rules and regulations regarding child safeguarding and other aspects of health and safety. Learn more about our education courses and watch this space for a course on school trips coming later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions About School Trip Safety
What does Ofsted say about school trips?
Ofsted generally supports school trips and educational visits. However, schools are expected to manage trips responsibly, carrying out appropriate planning, safeguarding, and risk management procedures.
What is the legal ratio for school trips?
There is no fixed national ratio of responsible adults to students. The factors include the nature of the trip and the age of the pupils. So, higher-risk groups and younger children will require more adults than a group of 16-year-olds.
Does the Health & Safety Act apply to school trips?
Yes. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies to school trips and educational visits. Schools and employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety, and welfare of pupils, staff, and volunteers during activities organised by the school, even when they take place off-site.
Can schools refuse to take a child on a trip?
Yes, a school can refuse to take a child on a trip for behavioural, medical, or safeguarding reasons. However, depending on the reason, they must be able to explain why reasonable adjustments could not be made.
Do school trips need a first aider?
Yes. Schools should ensure appropriate first aid provision is in place. A first aider is especially important for residential visits, and first aid kits must be brought along.
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