DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION GUIDELINES
The UK government highlights the benefits of a well-organised residential study tour in The Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panel document ‘Making The Case’:
‘Learning Outside the Classroom has a vital part to play in meeting the demands of the National Curriculum, and in achieving the goal of effectively preparing young people for life beyond school. Outstanding schools have always used educational visits & residential experience as an integral part of their whole-school approach’.
‘Residential visits create powerful learning opportunities for young people, which can lead to step changes in an individual’s personal development and confidence’.
Our Study Tours have been designed with an emphasis placed on the Department for Education’s best practice guide. We have incorporated the current best practice techniques in order to ensure that our tours are safe, secure and enjoyable for all participants.
Relevant Sections From DfES Publications:
The school must check that the external provider is an appropriate organisation to use. This could include checking:
- their insurance
- that they meet legal requirements
- their health and safety and emergency policies
- their risk assessments
- control measures
- their use of vehicles
- staff competence
- safeguarding
- accommodation
- any sub-contracting arrangements they have
- that they have a licence where needed
The school should have an agreement with them that makes it clear what everyone is responsible for.
Useful information & checklists to assist group leaders
Checklist: Assessing a provider: https://oeapng.info/download/1154/
Selecting Providers & Activities: https://oeapng.info/download/4431/
Using external providers: https://oeapng.info/download/1158/
