RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

March 8, 2002
DROWNINGS - PLEA FOR STRICTER SCHOOL TRIP CONTROLS

Following the inquest into the deaths of two pupils on a river walk in North Yorkshire, RoSPA has called for tighter controls on schools and teachers organising trips.

The Society said it did not want to see such activities banned as they may even help to educate children about risk.

RoSPA hopes a current Government review of the document covering health and safety of pupils on education visits will include clear guidance so that:

• Schools and education authorities look closely at the activities their teachers are planning and check they are competent to undertake them. If they are not competent, the trip should not be allowed to go ahead.
• Teacher training includes information on how to manage educational or residential visits.
• Teachers are made aware of the type of activities where they may need to call in expert help.
• Teachers understand that what appears a relatively safe activity can have potentially the same disastrous consequences as what are perceived to be more dangerous pursuits.
• Activities must be relevant to the curriculum. For example if they are undertaking a beach walk as part of a geography field trip, the children would not allowed to go paddling.
• Teachers have the skills to carry out risk assessment, and understand that it may be necessary to call off trips at times. They may need training to supervise specific activities, if they do not have the relevant background or experience.
• Parents must be told exactly what their children will be doing on a visit in order to decide if it is suitable for their child, and should be given information about the skills of the people supervising the trip

Peter Cornall, RoSPA Water Safety Manager, said: "School visits usually fall outside the scope of the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority regulations introduced after the Lyme Bay canoeing disaster. We feel there is a real need for tighter controls to prevent further tragedies.

"Thousands of trips take place without incident and can play an important part in a child’s development. We must ensure that they continue.”