School trips never went off the agenda says NUT

28 November 2006

Commenting on the Government’s announcement of £2.7m to promote school trips, Steve Sinnott, NUT General Secretary, said:

“The Government’s manifesto for learning outside the classroom goes a long way to steadying the concerns teachers and parents have about safety on school trips.

“The small number of high profile tragedies has sent a tremor through the teaching profession. Schools are ultra cautious when organising trips – every trip, even just down the road, has its hazards.

“Yet field trips, visits to galleries and theatres are often remembered by young people long after they have left school. They bring far wider benefits than the straight forward subject learning that takes place.

“A guarantee of access to outside activities for all young people should be funded and built into the system.  

“School trips should not be part of the inspection system. A school in a deprived area cannot compete on trips with a school in an area where the parents can easily afford the cost. Coercing teachers into organising what are largely voluntary activities would undermine the goodwill on which these activities rely.”