Outdoor education
Education secretary Ruth Kelly wants to increase the "quality and quantity" of school trips to make them an essential part of every child's education.
Kelly is set to unveil the government's Outdoor Education Manifesto through which schools and outdoor pursuit centres will have to work together to improve opportunities for pupils.
The move follows a critical report from a committee of MPs who blamed fear of "compensation culture" for a decline in the number of trips carried out by schools.
Government Response: Department for Education and Skills
Ruth Kelly, secretary of state for education 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 reassurance about their responsibility for pupil safety.
"We want to make sure that all teachers 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."
Tim Collins shadow education secretary said: "It's a shame so many children will have had their trips cancelled or curtailed by this absurd row. If only the government had taken on our suggestion of a Teacher Protection Bill then this nonsense could have been avoided.
"Under a Conservative government a simple signed note from parents acknowledging their acceptance of any risk would suffice to ensure that our children continue to both enjoy and learn from school trips."
Stakeholder Response: NASUWT
Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT said: "This is an extremely helpful and welcome development.
"NASUWT has been engaged in discussions for several months with DfES officials about our concerns and the government has responded constructively to these.
"This is in stark contrast to the irrational and blinkered approach taken by the Education and Skills Select Committee to the issues raised by NASUWT in the inquiry into education outside the classroom.
"The Secretary of State has recognised that the genuine concerns of teachers about the risks involved in participating in educational visits needed to be addressed seriously. Her statement represents a significant step in the right direction.
"When the detailed guidance is published I am confident that the NASUWT National Executive will wish to respond positively."
Stakeholder Response: Professional Association of Teachers
Jean Gemmell PAT general secretary said: "School trips should be an enjoyable experience and teachers and support staff who are conducting a well organised and properly supervised visit shouldn't have the fear of possible litigation hanging over them before the minibus has even left the school gates.
"Parents can reasonably expect safety to be the paramount consideration on school trips and serious incidents have to be investigated, but we must remove the fear factor.
"We will need to study, and respond to, the government's plans in detail, but we hope that these proposals will reassure teachers, support staff and parents.
"PAT encourages and support members who chose to become involved in such activities, but we do recognise the possible difficulties they face.
"Howevermuch preparation is undertaken and care taken, accidents can and do happen, but fortunately they are very rare.
"No aspect of life is entirely risk free, but there are millions of school visits each year, and most take place without incident.
"Education is not just about what happens in the classroom. Risk assessed, safely conducted and properly supervised, school trips play a key role in education. They are of enormous benefit to pupils, teachers and support staff.
"We should all applaud school staff who give children these opportunities. School trips give children experiences they have not had before and may never have again.
"The benefits of outdoor education should - and do - far outweigh the concerns.
"The issue of school trips was debated at PAT's 2001 Annual Conference and members supported the continuation of such a valuable educational resource."
Outdoor education
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