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A group of teachers are standing in a river, all wearing wellies, measuring the depth of the river using a stick.

Health and Safety

The health and safety implications of taking students out on fieldwork are well documented. Concerns about potential risks and possible litigation are one reason for the decline of fieldwork in our schools.

Despite this, it is relatively simple to ensure that your trip is safe, and given the number of students who attend fieldtrips, accidents are rare. Needless to say, no field trip should be planned and undertaken without first ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all those involved. 

The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP) provides the main source of guidance for leaders and helpers in connection with adventure activities and for educational visits. We refer to their guidance frequently in our resources.

Four people with large backpacks are walking up a green hill towards a rocky outcrop. The clouds are low and are forming a mist at the top of the hill towards where they are heading

Legal responsibilities for school visits

Guidance on the legal responsibilities associated with school visits

A person is standing on a precariously placed rock that is wedged between two cliff sides. They are high up and there is a long drop beneath the wedged rock onto a rocky beach.

Risk Management for school visits

Information about risk assessments and mitigating risk during school visits

An ambulance driving at speed. The background of the picture, which is a residential street, is blurry to indicate the speed at which the vehicle is travelling.

Incident management for school visits

Guidance on dealing with incidents during school visits

A grop of teachers are standing in a shallow river, two are holding a tape measure across the river to measure its width. Two are standing by and watching.

Safety around water

Information on keeping your students safe around water

Two people are standing on top of a minibus, overlooking a dusty valley with a small river running along the bottom of it. There are mountains to the right hand side and the sky is cloudy.

Transport safety

Things to think about regarding transport for school visits

A group of people, all wearing blue jackets and carrying red backpacks, are walking up the side of a glacier. The glacier is tinted blue, and the edges are grey.

Overseas visits for school groups

Guidance when planning overseas visits for schools