Safety fears still thwart school trips

A survey by market research agency QA Research reveals that, while it is accepted school trips are a valuable educational experience, 56 per cent of those who organise them fear being sued and are worried about pupil discipline.

Last year the government launched the Learning Outside the Classroom manifesto to promote the benefits of school trips. But the new research, seen exclusively by CYP Now, reveals just 18 per cent of those surveyed are aware of the manifesto.

Report author Nick How said ministers need to do more to encourage school trips. "The government has done a lot in engaging providers but it hasn't taken the next step of promoting it to teachers," he said.

How added a fear of being sued and concerns about bad behaviour were leading to a chasm between pupils able to take part in school trips and those stuck in the classroom.

"Teachers are not forced to organise trips," he said. "So it's great when a school is supportive and the teacher sees their value and is prepared to put their job on the line. But that doesn't exist everywhere."

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, agreed the government had to demonstrate to schools that the law would be on their side if accidents occurred.

"Schools still believe they may be sued if accidents happen," he said. "It will take time and evidence to the contrary to turn around this perception."

David Walker, leisure safety information manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said teachers need more training. "Ongoing support is needed for teachers who feel unsure about an activity, or their own knowledge and skills, so they can access information to assist them," he said.

The government's Staying Safe Action Plan, published in February, included measures to help teachers take pupils on school trips. They included the introduction of quality badges to popular destinations to reduce the bureaucratic burden of risk assessment on teachers.