school trips: will my union back me up?
By Sophie Fordham Question:
Not so much of a problem really as a query. I am a primary school teacher at an
independent school, I run the school hockey teams which frequently involves trips
away to other schools for a day or even overnight. I am keen to accompany children
on trips out of school, but If I choose to go against the advice of my union and
an accident does occur, will they back me up? Is it realistic for the school to
take out their own insurance against such possibilities?
Sophie
Fordham, Jft's legal adviser, answers: There have been 12 fatal accidents
on school trips in the last 12 months, receiving high profile media coverage.
These startling statistics has raised real concerns amongst both teachers and
parents. Nigel de Gruchy, the NASUWT's general secretary, has recommended that
teachers do not attend school trips, especially if they are abroad.
Improved
guidelines
Amid these concerns, on September 17 2001, Ivan Lewis, the
minister for young people and learning announced the introduction of practical
changes for guidance on school trips.
Speaking at the Brathay
Youth Conference in Ambelside, he said "the practical changes that I am announcing
today will improve existing guidance." He has pledged to:
-
Produce an easy-to-use handbook for group leaders on the practicalities of visit
supervision
- Agree with local authorities standard good practice
in overseeing visits
- Clarify the legal powers and duties
of local authorities and schools under existing health and safety legislation
- Produce a common set of standards for those who lead adventure
activities but who are not subject to the Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme.
He goes on to say that the revised information
will be available in booklet form and on the DfES
website in due course. In the meantime the booklet
can be ordered from the Department of Education
and Skills. Full details can be found on the website.
Despite the announcement of these new guidelines
Nigel de Gruchy is still standing by his advice
that teachers should not go on school trips.
Insurance
It is possible to obtain insurance cover for school trips. It is the responsibility
of the group leader to ensure that adequate insurance arrangements are in place
before the group set off. Insurance can be provided from a variety of different
sources, for example, LEA for state maintained schools, or travel firms. The
range of insurance cover that a school obtains will depend on the destination
and type of trip, the age and number of pupils. Types of insurance cover that
the school may want to consider include: - employers liability
- public liability
- personal accident
cover for teachers, other adults and pupils
- costs for medical
treatment
- specialised risk activities damage to or loss
of equipment
- cost of emergency accommodation
- compensation
against
- cancellation or bankruptcy of the tour operator
- loss of property
- legal advice
Increasing
litigious society
It is a reflection of our increasingly litigious society
that parents seem to be more prepared to sue in the event of an accident. Teachers
taking pupils on a school trips are vulnerable to litigation and possible disciplinary
proceedings. Insurance can help prevent financial loss, but no teacher would wish
to suffer the stress of blame attached to a genuine accident.
Personal choice
It has to be up to the individual teacher
to decide whether to continue supporting school trips. The new guidelines announced
by Nigel Lewis may provide clear guidance for teachers. However,
it may be that they just add to the existing guidelines, which Nigel de Gruchy
says are "virtually impossible for any normal human being to follow them all the
time. " | 
