Luton Pentecostal Church Christian Academy POLICY FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS

Transcription

1 Lutn Pentecstal Church Christian Academy POLICY FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS As a schl we value the rle f educatinal visits and regard them as an imprtant part f schl life. T enable children and staff t gain a full and enjyable educatinal visit it is essential that the fllwing guidelines and plicies are adhered t: - The range f activities cvered by this dcument include: Residential activities Day visits using transprt Day r part day visits n ft After schl sprting activities Swimming pl visits Farm visits Schl visits benefit yung peple in many ways, including: being able t apply a different range f skills than thse used in the classrm enabling, supprting and cmplementing academic wrk - assessing and managing risks (safety) assciating the wrk f schls and teachers directly with the wrk utside schl develp latent talents, abilities and interests, which can be mtivatinal and have lifelng relevance. Teachers, vlunteers, students and parents all have respnsibilities during the curse f any ff-site activity in which they are participating. Principal shuld Ensure that visits cmply with regulatins and guidelines prvided by the LEA, schls gverning bdy and the schls wn health and safety plicy Shuld ensure that the grup leader is cmpetent t mnitr risks thrughut the visit Be aware f their rle n any visit they take part in Ensure adequate child prtectin prcedures are in place Ensure all necessary actin has been cmpleted befre the visit takes place The risk assessment has been cmpleted and apprpriate safety measures are in place Training needs have been assessed by a cmpetent persn and the needs f the staff and students have been cnsidered Ensure the grup leader has experience in supervising the age grups n the visit and will rganise the grup effectively

2 The grup leader r anther teacher is suitably cmpetent t instruct the activity and is familiar with the lcatin/centre where the activity will take place Grup leaders are allwed sufficient time t rganise visits prperly Nn teacher helpers n the visit are apprpriate t supervise children Ratis f staff t students are apprpriate Parents have signed cnsent frms Arrangements have been made fr the medical and special educatinal needs f the students Adequate first aid prvisin will be in place The mde f transprt is apprpriate Travel times ut and back are knwn in schl There is adequate and relevant insurance cver They have the address and phne number f the visits venue and have a cntact name A schl cntact has been nminated and the grup leader has the details The grup leader, helpers and nminated cntact have a cpy f the agreed emergency prcedures The grup leader, helpers and nminated schl cntact have the names f all the adults and students travelling in the grup, and the cntact details f parents and the teachers and ther helpers next f kin. There is a cntingency plan fr any delays including a late return hme. Risk Assessment Risk assessments fr schl visits have three levels: 1. Generic activity risk assessments, which are likely t apply t the activity whenever it takes place 2. Visit/site specific risk assessments, which will differ frm place t place and grup t grup 3. Onging risk assessments that take accunt f e.g. illness f staff r students, changes f weather, availability f preferred activities Pre-Visits In rder t undertake a full and cmprehensive assessment f risks, it will be essential in mst cases t undertake a pre-visit, even when the visit is made regularly, risks shuld be reassessed frm time t time. When undertaking risk assessment, a number f variables need t be taken int accunt. the number f students invlved the age f the students, their sex, ability and general behaviur the previus experience f the grup undertaking ff-site visits the time f day and time f year the travel arrangements the hazards at the envirnment being visited

3 the numbers, experience and quality f accmpanying staff and vlunteers the nature f the activities the special educatinal r medical needs f the students the quality and suitability f available equipment seasnal weather cnditins emergency prcedures hw t cpe when a student becmes unable r unwilling t carry n the need t mnitr the risks thrughut the visit Duties and Respnsibilities All staff shuld be aware f the expectatins placed upn them and shuld appreciate the nature f their relatinship t the students and ther staff. All staff must: cnduct themselves in a manner cmpatible with their wn safety and the safety and well-being f the students. infrm the visit leader if they are unsure f their ability t perfrm any supervisry functin requested f them recgnise the limits f their respnsibilities and act within thse at all times. reprt t the visit leader any cncerns they may have regarding student behaviur and well being during the visit. Greater levels f respnsibilities will nrmally be assigned t teachers than t adult helpers and a higher standard f care is expected f them. Respnsibilities f Nminated Grup Leader Grup leaders, whether teachers r adult helpers have a cmmn law duty f care twards the students in their charge; Grup leaders must recgnise their respnsibilities: Obtain the Principal s prir agreement befre any ff-site visit Fllw Schl Bard guidelines Appint a deputy Clearly define each helper s rle and ensure all tasks have been assigned Be able t cntrl and lead students f the relevant age grup Be suitably cmpetent t instruct students in an activity and be familiar with the lcatin/centre where the activity takes place Be aware f child prtectin issues Ensure adequate first aid prvisin is in placed Undertake and cmplete the planning and preparatin f the visit including the briefing f grup members and parents Undertake and cmplete a cmprehensive risk assessment Review regularly undertaken visits/activities and advise the Principal where adjustments may be necessary

4 Ensure that teachers and helpers are fully aware f what the prpsed visit entails Have enugh infrmatin n the students prpsed fr the visit t assess their suitability r be satisfied that their suitability has been assessed and cnfirmed Ensure staff student rati is apprpriate fr the grup Cnsider stpping the visit if the risk t the health r safety f the student is unacceptable and have in place prcedures fe such an emergency Ensure all helpers have details f the schl cntact Ensure all helpers have cpies f the emergency prcedures Ensure that all helpers have details f the medical r special needs f the students Observe the guidance set ut fr teachers Teachers Teachers n schl visits act as emplyees f LPCCA whether the visit is during nrmal schl hurs r utside the schl day. Teachers must ensure the health and safety f everyne in the grup and act as any reasnable parent wuld in the same circumstances. They shuld Fllw the instructins f the grup leader and help with cntrl and discipline Cnsider stpping the visit r the activity ntifying the grup leader if they think the risk t the health and safety f the students in their charge is t great Adult Vlunteers Nn-teacher adults n the visit shuld be clear abut their rles and respnsibilities during the visit. They must D their best t ensure the health and safety f everyne in the grup Nt be left in sle charge f students except where it has been previusly agreed as part f the risk assessment Fllw the instructins f the grup leader and supervisr and help with the cntrl and discipline Speak t the grup leader r teachers if cncerned abut the health and safety f the students at any time. Students The grup leader must make it clear t students that they must Nt take unnecessary risks Fllw the instructins f the leader and ther helpers including thse at the venue Dress and behave sensibly and respnsibly Lk ut fr anything that might threaten themselves r anyne in the grup and tell the leader r helpers abut it

5 Any student whse behaviur may be cnsidered t be a danger t themselves r t the grup may be stpped frm ging n the visit. Parents Parents shuld be able t make an infrmed decisin n whether their child shuld g n a visit. The grup leader shuld ensure that parents are given sufficient infrmatin in writing and invited t any briefing sessins. The grup leader shuld als tell parents hw they culd help prepare their child fr the visit, e.g. reinfrcing the visit s cde f cnduct. Parents shuld als be asked t agree the arrangements fr sending a student hme early and wh will meet the cst. Parents will need t: Prvide the grup leader with emergency cntact numbers Sign the cnsent frm Give the grup leader infrmatin abut their child s emtinal, psychlgical and physical health, which might be relevant t the visit. Recrds and Cmmunicatins Recrds f a visit can prvide a very useful and infrmative way f demnstrating the accuntability f the schl twards its students. Pre visit risk assessments shuld be kept. After visit reprts shuld als be kept n file. Reprts f any accidents r incidents shuld als be kept n file. Parents shuld always be made aware when their children are leaving the schl premises. Parents may exercise their right nt t allw their children t take part in a visit. Under these circumstances the schl must make alternative arrangements t ensure that the any wrk that was being develped during the visit is made available t the student in schl. The refusal f the parent nt t allw the student t g n the visit des nt ffer the pprtunity fr the child t be kept ff schl fr the day. Cmmunicatin with parents regarding schl visits will be included in Letters regarding use f private transprt Infrmatin abut visits during schl time Financial csts Trips utside schl hurs Details f children s medical needs Cnsent frms First Aid There shuld be a qualified first aider n every visit A first aid kit shuld be taken n every visit Supervisin There are n statutry requirements but gd practice wuld suggest rati wuld depend n the specificatins f the visit. Sex f the accmpanying

6 adults need als t be cnsidered, particularly where there is a mixed grup f students. Staff/Student Ratis The fllwing staff student rati shuld be adhered t n all schl visits. Fundatin Stage: Years 1 t 3: Years 4 t 6: 1 adult fr every 5 students 1 adult t every 6 students 1 adult t every 10 students These ratis shuld take int accunt : Sex age and ability f grup Students with special educatinal r medical needs Nature f activities Experience f adults in ff site supervisin Duratin and nature f the jurney Cmpetence f staff, bth general and n specific activities Requirements f the rganisatin/lcatin t be visited Cmpetence and behaviur f students First aid cver Where there is mre than ne teacher n the visit a grup leader shuld be appinted wh has the authrity ver the whle grup. They must have CRB clearance and they must be fully briefed befre the visit. The Principal must assess the suitability f ptential helpers and leaders at a very early stage f the planning. It shuld als be nted that fr the prtectin f bth adults and students all adults shuld ensure that they are nt alne with a student whenever pssible unless it is their wn child All adults n a visit shuld clearly understand their rles and respnsibilities at all times. The teachers retain respnsibility fr the grup at all times. Head cunts Whatever the length f the visit regular head cunts shuld be taken f the children, particularly befre leaving any venue. All adults shuld carry a list f all the students and adults invlved in the visit. Students especially 3 7 year lds shuld be easily identifiable. Students shuld nt wear name badges but badges with the schl name shuld be wrn. The grup leader shuld identify rendezvus pints and tell students what t d if they get separated frm the grup. Public Liability Insurance This prvides prtectin fr the schl in respect f its legal liabilities t third parties

7 Emplyer s Liability and Persnal Accident Insurance These insurance arrangements prtect LPCCA in respect f its legal liabilities twards emplyees, paid r vluntary. LPCCA des nt prvide insurance cver fr any prperty belnging t children, staff, instructrs, r vluntary helpers. Transprt The grup leader shuld cnsider Passenger safety Type f jurney Traffic cnditins Insurance cver Weather Jurney time and distance Stpping pints n lnger jurneys Supervisin Supervisin n visits The level f supervisin necessary shuld be cnsidered as part f the risk assessment Level f supervisin n caches Safety when crssing rads Safety f students at drpping ff pints Head cunts when getting n and leaving transprt Respnsibility fr checking seat belts Travel sickness pills shuld nly be taken when previus authrisatin has been received frm the parents. Use f cars the car shuld be radwrthy the driver has the apprpriate licence the driver has the apprpriate insurance drivers ensure students wear seat belts parents r any ther adults shuld never be in a psitin where they are left alne in a car with a child and a central drpping ff place is arranged. Emergency Prcedures Teachers in charge f visits have a duty f care t make sure that their students are safe and healthy. They als have a cmmn law duty t act as a reasnably prudent parent wuld. Teachers shuld nt hesitate t act in an emergency and t take life saving actin in an extreme situatin. If an accident happens the pririties are: T assess the situatin Safeguard the uninjured members f the grup

8 Attend t the casualty In frm the emergency services Infrm schl r the hme cntact Ensure that a teacher accmpanies any casualties t hspital if necessary and the rest f the grup are supervised. Ntify the plice if needed Ascertain telephne numbers fr any future calls Write dwn accurately all relevant facts and witness details and preserve all vital evidence Keep a written accunt f all events, times and cntacts after the incident Cmplete an accident reprt frm as sn as pssible N ne in the grup shuld speak t the medias and n names shuld be prvided N ne in the grup shuld discuss any legal liability with ther parties Swimming pls A minimum supervisin level f 1 adult t every 12 students is recmmended The fllwing checks shuld be made is there cnstant pl supervisin by a sufficient number f qualified staff is the water temperature apprpriate where there is n lifeguard the leader shuld stay n the pl side at a raised lcatin and the grup leader shuld have the relevant life saving award is the water clear are there signs indicating depth f water des the pl cater fr children with disabilities des the deep end allw fr safe diving are there a resuscitatr and ther pieces f first aid and rescue equipment and is there smene trained t use them is there a changing rm fr each sex are the changing and shwering facilities safe and hygienic can clthes be stred safely have the students been instructed hw t behave arund water. Farm Visits Farms can be very dangerus places even fr the peple wrking n them. Risks t be addressed shuld include thse arising frm the misuse f farm machinery and the hazards assciated with E-cli fd pisning and ther infectins. The farm shuld be well managed and have a gd reputatin fr safety standards and animal welfare, and that it maintains gd washing facilities and clean grunds and public spaces. Students shuld nt: Place their faces against the animals r put their hands in their muths after feeding animals Eat until they have washed their hands Sample any animal fdstuffs

9 Drink frm farm taps Ride n tractrs r ther machines Play in the farm area Residential visits Staff rati shuld be at least 1 member f staff fr every 10 students. The grup shuld ideally have adjining rms with teachers quarters next t the students rms the leader shuld btain a flr plan f the rms reserved fr the grups use in advance; There must be at least ne teacher frm each sex fr mixed grups There must be separate male and female sleeping/bathrm facilities fr students and adults The immediate accmmdatin shuld be exclusively fr the grups use There shuld be apprpriate and safe heating and ventilatin The whle grup shuld be aware f the lay ut f the accmmdatin, its fire precautins/exits, its regulatins and rutines, and everyne can identify key persnnel Security arrangements where the receptin is nt staffed 24 hurs a day, security shuld be in frce t stp unauthrised visitrs All staff emplyed at the centre shuld be checked n their suitability fr wrking with yung peple There shuld be drying facilities There shuld be adequate space fr string clthes, luggage, equipment There shuld be adequate lighting There shuld be prvisin fr children with special needs and fr thse wh fall sick Balcnies shuld be stable, windws secure, electrical cnnectins safe Where pssible students shuld nt be ldged n grund flr rms The fire alarm must be audible thrughut the whle accmmdatin There shuld be recreatinal facilities fr the grup There shuld be an apprpriate number f supervisrs n duty during the night As sn as pssible after arrival a fire drill shuld take place Adpted September 2010 Reviewed September 2011