School Tours & Excursions Policy

St. Patrick’s NS School Tours/Excursions Policy

Introduction

Taking into account the age and interests of the children and the curriculum being covered, school tours will be arranged by the school to present the children with a new environment in which they can observe, investigate and relate their findings to their own environment. Tours will be arranged at the discretion of the class teacher.

This draft policy was drawn up in consultation with the staff and circulated to the Board of Management (BoM) and Parents Association for observations and feedback.

Rationale

The need for this policy arises due to children being exposed to a wide variety of different experiences while on school outings, and the necessity to have a framework for good practice in place to cover all eventualities.

Aims

To ensure all practical possibilities are covered in reducing the exposure of children to risk on outings
To provide an enjoyable educational experience for all children

Policy Content

As always the class teacher is responsible for his/her class. However it is school policy to ensure a number of assistants accompany a teacher on trip and assign individual groups of 10 children approximately to individual teachers or parental supervisors. This number varies on the age and needs within a class. No matter what size a class is, there will always be a minimum of 3 adults on each tour. This allows for an adult to accompany an injured child to hospital while leaving 2 adults with the rest of the class.

Tour Kit

Leaders will take a tour kit on all outings. These will be available from the office. The kit will contain;

First aid materials, refuse and illness bags, water, kitchen roll
Own mobile phone, umbrella
Any additional medication needed by an individual chilod (according to our Policy on the Administration of Medicine)

Cost

The teachers will ensure that the cost of the tour is reasonable and represents value for money. All children will be actively encouraged to save towards the cost of the tour.

Venue

The teacher will be “au fait” with venue, with particular reference to educational opportunities afforded, and services available (phone, toilets, emergency facilities). Where no phone facilities exist, the leader will have a pre-arranged plan to deal with emergencies.

Weather Conditions

Parents should be aware of changing weather conditions depending on the time of year. Rain and head gear may be essential for all children and a change of clothes may be necessary, depending on the venue. Likewise suncream should be applied by parent before children depart on tour.

Equality of Access

Classes may choose a venue suitable for their own level or lower but not from levels above. Teachers will ensure that venues are suitable for pupils with special needs, physical disabilities or other individual considerations. Teachers should consult with Principal about choice of venue if there are any queries of accessibility for individual children.

Uniforms

Teachers travelling together will decide whether uniforms or tracksuits should be worn by all. Children should never wear name badges in public under Child Protection guidelines.

Reports

Where problems arise either with venue or transport teachers will report back to the Principal.

Conduct on Tours

Pupils’ behaviour on tours will comply with the standard set down in the School’s Code of Behaviour. In certain circumstances parents may be asked to agree to a contract on behaviour. Where it is felt that a child’s conduct would pose a safety risk or inhibit the educational benefit for self or others, the teacher may refuse the child permission to travel. Parents will be advised of this in advance.

School Rules for tours & excursions

Children must obey their supervisors & teachers at all times
Children must remain seated with buckled seatbelt while the bus is in motion
Children are not allowed to eat/drink on the bus nor are they allowed to bring electronic devices with them
Children should not bring money with them
Children must remain with their allocated grouping and supervisor at all times
Children will line up in their individual groups on disembarking from the bus
Children should never attend a bathroom alone.
Roll calls/head counts are taken when children return to the bus or centre after each segment of the tour
Eating chewing gum is not allowed on school tours. While one treat is allowed, this should be at the parent’s discretion.

Safety and Supervision

Teachers will be extra vigilant when taking children out of the school. Special attention will be paid to – Road Safety, Behaviour on bus, Risks posed by particular venues (e.g. adventure playgrounds, areas of water etc.). Teachers must accompany their class throughout the tour. Shared supervision will allow for teacher’s lunch and toilet breaks.

In cases of accident or emergency, a teacher will accompany an injured child to hospital, while the remaining teachers, SNAs & volunteers shall remain with the rest of the children. In the case where there is only one class teacher with accompanying parent volunteers, a parent will accompany the injured child to hospital while the teacher remains with his/her class in loco parentis. All procedures under our Health & Safety and Critical Incident policies will be adhered too.

Informing Parents

Teachers will ensure that Parents are given sufficient notice of;