Kelly seeks to reassure teachers on school trips
Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has sought to reassure teachers that they will be legally protected in the event of an accident on a school trip.
She said the Government would aim to cut the bureaucracy faced by teachers on school trips, increase staff confidence and improve outdoor provision.
The NASUWT teaching union has previously advised members to not take part in school trips because of the fear of legal action.
Last week the influential Education and Skills Select Committee urged ministers to produce a manifesto for outdoor learning that would give all children the right to education outside the classroom.
Committee chairman Barry Sheerman said: “If the Government is serious about raising educational standards then the decline in school trips must be reversed. We want to ensure that all children benefit from a rich and diverse education, not just the well off.”
He added: “We have to get away from the culture of fear that has grown around school trips and introduce some element of common sense. Accidents are still very rare and the Government must work to remove the fear of litigation, which is part of the growing ‘compensation culture’.”
Today, Ms Kelly indicated she had taken a number of the concerns on board, saying the Government wanted outdoor learning to be an important part of all children’s education.
The Government will in the autumn publish a manifesto for outdoor education containing new detailed guidance stressing:
- Staff who take “reasonable care” and follow guidance are protected by the law in the event of an accident;
- Safety checks can protect both pupils and staff and minimise litigation risks;
- Schools must treat staff fairly if children are injured – and parents are expected to as well.
Ms Kelly said: “The majority of schools already offer a range of outdoor learning including school trips that enrich the curriculum, build confidence and increase skills.
“However, we know that some schools and staff would like reassurance about their responsibility for pupil safety.
“We want to make sure that all teachers have the confidence to continue offering these experiences and that everyone involved in a school trip, including parents, are aware of their rights and responsibilities.”
The NASUWT said that Ms Kelly’s comments were “an extremely helpful and welcome development.”
General secretary Chris Keates, said Ms Kelly had “recognised that the genuine concerns of teachers about the risks involved in participating in educational visits needed to be addressed seriously. Her statement today represents a significant step in the right direction.”
David Hart, general secretary of the NAHT, said he supported the Government’s drive to encourage school visits.
He added: “We must get away from the totally unfounded belief that a solicitor’s letter is always waiting around the corner whenever a school visit takes place. Teachers who follow the good advice that already exists, and who use their commonsense, have nothing to fear. We cannot afford to allow valuable school visits to disappear for reasons that are largely unjustified.”
