What educational visits can take place?
All school visit types can go ahead at the time of publication. However, additional considerations may be needed when planning and risk managing visits in the current pandemic landscape. It is essential always to check the latest DfE guidance on school trips and educational visits. Guidance is constantly under review and should be checked before any visit occurs.
For Juniper Education customers, check the EVOLVE site for any of the latest updates, road maps and FAQs:
What does the guidance say?
As explained in the current DfE guidance (updated in January 2022), under Educational Visits (page 16): “You should undertake full and thorough risk assessments in relation to all educational visits and ensure that any public health advice, such as hygiene and ventilation requirements, is included as part of that risk assessment. General guidance about educational visits is available and is supported by specialist advice from the Outdoor Education Advisory Panel (OEAP).”
Jake Wiid, associate adviser, EVOLVE Advice, has produced a beneficial online training module Managing Trips in a Covid Landscape for Juniper Education, educational visits customers. It’s strongly recommended that Essex and Warwickshire customers access this free training opportunity. Training should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete.
DfE guidance for domestic residential educational visits
As stated in the current DfE guidance (updated in January 2022), page 16: “You are advised to ensure that any new bookings have adequate financial protection in place. You should speak to either your visit provider, commercial insurance company, or the risk protection arrangement (RPA) to assess the protection available. Independent advice on insurance cover and options can be sought from the British Insurance Brokers’. Any domestic residential educational visits must be conducted in line with relevant coronavirus (COVID-19) secure guidance and regulations in place at that time.”
DfE guidance for international educational visits
The current DfE guidance explains: “We recommend that you consider whether to go ahead with planned international educational visits at this time recognising the risk of disruption to education resulting from the need to isolate and test on arrival back into the UK. You should refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice and the guidance on international travel before booking and travelling.“
Furthermore, “you are advised to ensure that any new bookings have adequate financial protection in place. You should speak to either your visit provider, commercial insurance company, or the risk protection arrangement (RPA) to assess the protection available. Independent advice on insurance cover and options can be sought from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) or Association of British Insurers (ABI). Any school holding ATOL or ABTA refund credit notes may use these credit notes to rebook educational or international visits.”
Use the Re-open EU website and app as useful resources for any school trips taking place overseas.
How to keep updated on educational visits changes
Guidance is regularly changing. Use the below resources to help your school keep up-to-date with any new advice. Alternatively, speak to our educational visits team for information on our support service.
- Essex EVOLVE : Resources for Essex educational visits customers.
- Warwickshire EVOLVE: Resources for Warwickshire educational visits customers.
- OEAP: The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP) provides guidance, activities, training and support for outdoor learning and educational visits.
- EVOLVEAdvice: FAQ’s on COVID-19 and school trips
- Council for Learning Outside the Classroom: Helping teachers and educators to take teaching beyond the classroom.
