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.