Risk assessment for school trips

Would you like your students to join the thousands of others going abroad on school trips every year and give them the great educational and social benefits of such an experience?
But are you worried and confused about the prospect of completing the risk assessment? The good news is - it is not as daunting as you may think.

1. What is a risk assessment?

Within the context of school travel, a risk assessment is consistent with a group management plan. In other words, it is a written plan for how the group leader expects to lead their group on the trip with the objective of arriving home safe and sound. Download stf's “Demystifying risk assessment” guide here for a full description.

2. What should a risk assessment include?

It is very important that you follow the guidelines for your particular school and LEA. It is however widely recognised that using a “reputable” tour operator can significantly reduce your work load, as long as you ensure they have a substantial Safety management system in place. Once you have obtained a copy of the safety management system from the tour operator and clarified they are stf, ABTA or ATOL members this can form part of your risk assessment, saving you time and effort in areas like accommodation and travel.

3. Do you have to do a risk assessment for all trips abroad?

An important part of a risk assessment is considering the individual pupils and leaders in your group. Does anyone have special needs? Is anyone more/less confident in certain situations etc. Remember, the group dynamic will be unique to every trip. Once a framework has been developed you can use the frame work again and again but a new revised assessment should be carried out for every trip.

4. Can Halsbury Travel do the risk assessment for me?

Halsbury Travel is a member of stf, ABTA and ATOL and has a strong Safety management system in place. This means you can use our Safety management system as part of your risk assessment, saving you time and effort. However, only you know your pupils, so only you can complete the actual risk assessment.

5. Where can I get more advice?

Stf has published the “Demystifying Risk Assessment” guide to completing risk assessments for school trips, which you can download here.

You maybe also find these links helpful:
Teachernet, "Health and safety on educational visits"

HSE, Key points for risk assessment

SchoolZone, Planning a school trip

SchoolZone, managing school trips

ATL, How do I carry out risk assessment for a trip?

The Guardian, Tony Blair backs school trips