TOURS FOR GROUPS
	DFES press release
	Education and Skills Secretary Ruth Kelly recently said that the Government wants more outdoor learning. The full press release is below: OUTDOOR LEARNING - KELLY 15 February 2005 The Government wants outdoor learning, including school visits, to be part of every pupil’s experience Education and Skills Secretary Ruth Kelly said today.   Approximately 7 million pupil visits already take place every year meaning that thousands of pupils are going on visits every week.   From a geography field trip to a week at a residential activity centre, out of classroom education can help bring a subject to life. The Government wants education outside the classroom to be an important part of all young people’s education.   In order to improve both the quantity and quality of education outside the classroom the Government has developed a three-step approach focused on increasing staff confidence, cutting bureaucracy and enriching outdoor provision.   New detailed guidance (which we aim to publish in full this summer) covering the fair treatment of school staff – a key concern of teaching unions – will make clear and seek to ensure that:   • Staff who take reasonable care, and follow employer guidelines are, in the event of any unfortunate accident, protected by the law; and, • By carrying out straightforward, compulsory safety checks school staff can protect both pupils and staff and themselves on a school visit and minimise the risk of litigation.   The guidance will also make clear that employers must treat staff fairly when a pupil gets injured and that we expect parents to respond fairly too.   In addition, the amount of paperwork involved in organising a school trip should not be excessive but should simply enable activities to go ahead safely. The Government wants Local Authorities to achieve a better balance between minimising red tape whilst ensuring that the necessary measures are taken to protect pupil health and safety. We will work with local authorities to achieve this.   Ruth 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 re-assurance about their responsibility for pupil safety.   “We want to make sure that all school staff 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.”   With the new guidance in place the Government would like to see school visits become an important part of a young person’s education. This will be a key aspect of the new Manifesto for Education Outside the Classroom to be launched in the new school year.   Bringing together a range of stakeholders, the Manifesto will:   • set out a joint commitment that all children should have the opportunity of a wide range of high quality outdoor learning, including at least one residential experience; • encourage schools to partner with other schools and outdoor learning providers; • encourage parents to take an active interest outdoor learning; • set out a range of advice and support; • provide information and good practice guidance on health and safety issues; and • set out priorities for the development of outdoor learning.   Around thirty partners from across the outdoor learning sector have already been involved in early Manifesto discussions. They will work together to establish a broad range of priorities for helping schools to improve the range and quality of education outside of the classroom.