Clear advice and cutting red tape should make school trips less of a hassle for teachers, says ATL survey

5 February 2008

Clear advice on the dos and don’ts of school trips, together with cutting some of the red tape should make school trips less of a hassle for teachers, says the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). 

Responding to the Government’s Staying Safe action plan announced today, ATL general secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, said:  “School trips are a great way for children to learn skills which are hard to acquire in the classroom.  ATL has always supported its teachers and support staff with advice about planning trips safely.  

“We are pleased the Government is backing school trips, and we support guidance to simplify the bureaucracy and remove some of the hassle out of planning trips. 

“School staff put in a lot of hard work to ensure pupils enjoy school trips, and return home safely.   However, the trend towards increasing litigation and a fear of being sued has discouraged many schools from taking pupils outside school. 

“We hope the Government’s action plan helps make school trips an important part of the school year so they can continue to be enjoyed by thousands of pupils.  And we urge parents and governors to support school trips as the valuable learning opportunities they provide.”

For further information please contact the ATL press office on 0207 782 1589 or visit our website www.atl.org.uk.