Learning Outside the Classroom – the ‘Out and About’ Package

Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances. To make this a reality, the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto was launched in November 2006. The DCSF is now producing a comprehensive set of advice, guidance and training to support the delivery of high-quality learning outside the classroom; as well as complementary support for providers of learning outside the classroom Read the full story....

TEACH OUT RISK ASSESSMENT CATEGORIES based on the three standards advised by the DFES

OUTDOOR EDUCATION, VISITS & OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES

Category A
Activities where the risks are considered the same as in everyday life, eg. Visits to the theatre, sports fixtures, visits to zoo, coastal and countryside walks.

Category B
Adventure activities in the UK, eg. Rock climbing, walking on moorland more than 30 minutes from a road or habitation, caving or kayaking.

Category C

The most demanding category. Includes visits abroad and all those activities that, if not school-led, would be in the scope of the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 1996 (see below). It also includes activities that fall outside the scope of licensing, or are less commonly pursued by pupil groups, such as motor sports, whose safe supervision requires that the leader should normally complete some prior test of his or her specific competence. Such testing might include a recognised course of training, the recorded accumulation of relevant experience, or an assessment of competence by an appropriate body.

Visits and activities overseas where there is concern or uncertainty about the health, safety or welfare of staff or pupils.

Some venues (usually those doing 'adventurous' type activities will get external verification of their risk assessment from an independent body, eg. the AALA (Adventure Activities Licensing Authority) - see http://www.aala.org

If you would like to know more about how teachers are advised on Risk Assessment for Educational Visits then take a look at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=2576