Educational Visits Policy

Educational Visits Policy

General Overview

At New Bishop Cotton School we value the immense impact of Educational Visits to children throughout our school, in ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum. We therefore strive for 'High Quality Educational Visits' that are organised with absolute due care and safety.

We ensure that all visits have clearly defined educational aims, which are entirely appropriate to the ages and needs of the children and to individuals within a group specifically. All off-site and residential visits are correctly planned, managed, and conducted with strict guidelines. We encourage all children at New Bishop Cotton School to take part in all educational visits.

The Educational Visits Co-ordinator

The designated Co-ordinator handles the rigorous planning and execution of all trips. The Co-ordinator:

• Primary contact with parents over visits planned by the school.
• Directly involved in the extensive planning and management of all visits.
• Responsible for monitoring and constantly updating the school's trip protocols.
• Keeps detailed records of visits, available to Governors and parents upon request.
• Seeks expert advice from Outdoor Education Advisers for specialized excursions.

Approval of Visits

The Administrator and Head Teacher formally approve all domestic visits and keep detailed records. Overseas or high-risk visits require Governor approval. The approval process options are:

• Approval Granted
• Approval Pending (subject to further information)
• Approval Refused

Ratios and Supervision

Children are always supervised fully throughout any educational visit. The level of supervision is determined by a thorough risk assessment considering activity type, duration, and the specific needs of the pupils.

Transport Protocols

The group leader ensures the highest standards of passenger safety, officially considering:

• Passenger safety and mandatory use of seat belts.
• Detailed route planning, including traffic and distance.
• Mandatory head counts when boarding and disembarking.
• Designated stopping points for breaks on long journeys.

Farm Visits Safety

Farm visits are carefully planned to manage risks associated with machinery and livestock. Pupils are strictly instructed to:

• Avoid placing faces against animals or touching mouths after feeding.
• Never eat until they have thoroughly washed their hands.
• Strictly stay away from farm machinery or unauthorized areas.