For new trips, an inspection visit is made in order to make a practical assessment of its suitability for our pupils, including those with disabilities. Most visitor centres will have made arrangements suitable for different age groups and will have their own Health and Safety plans. Such plans are a useful guideline and it is part of the inspection visit to verify that the venue operates according to its prospectus.

It is the School’s belief that it must assess the venue/activity for suitability and that the risk assessment must be our own. It is not believed to be satisfactory to seek to fall back upon failures in provision at the venue and we seek, in all cases, to take an objective view of the risks ourselves.

Travel arrangements are carefully reviewed, especially embarkation and disembarkation, and coaches are booked via the Secretary at Senior House who will engage one of the School’s approved contractors. Becoming an approved contractor requires written confirmation that all vehicles are fitted with safety belts and that current coach operators’ guidelines and regulations are adhered to.

The following forms have been produced to assist staff with risk assessments.

1.        Health & Safety Checklist - Out of School Visits Form

To be completed in all cases.

2.        Risk Assessment for Out of School Trips

To be completed in all cases.

This form leads the organiser through the risk assessment process and will highlight any of the other forms that should be completed in order to make a full risk assessment.

3.        Medical Questionnaire

4.        Educational Visits Form of Consent

5.        Outdoor and Adventurous Activity Instructors

6.        Outdoor Activity Centre Safety Systems

7.        Outdoor and Adventurous Activity Centres

8.        Accommodation for Out of School Visits

9.        Firm Selection (for Travel Firms)

10.      Ski Equipment

11.       Farm Visits

12.       Insurance for Out of School Visits

13.       Letter to Ski Company

These documents contain lists of matters to be considered and questions to be answered.

The forms are designed to ensure that there is a full assessment of foreseeable risks and that all the relevant questions are asked and all necessary answers provided

The completed Health and Safety Checklist - Out of School Visits Form (with any necessary supplementary forms) must be lodged with the Administrative Director or the Byron House Administrator two weeks before the trip leaves the School and, prior to that, have been signed off as approved by the Bursar or Headmaster.

This timetable must be adhered to and any queries resolved prior to the Trip/Visit taking place.

All Risk Assessments are filed and any concerns arising on the trip/visit are recorded so that they can be assessed for the future.

This is a whole school policy which also applies to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

DQ/CM November 2012