The Northamptonshire Local authorities require all Community and Voluntary Controlled schools and other Children's Services establishments to:
Read the full policy:
All Educational Visits Co-ordinators (EVC's) in NCC maintained schools are required to undertake an approved training course. The course remains valid for 3 years. Visit Leader training is also offered to all schools.
This one-day nationally accredited training course covers aspects of the law related to educational visits, risk assessment of visits, and the administrative requirements associated with off-site educational activities.
The course will enable EVCs to plan and manage their schools' educational visits and off-site activities in line with national guidance and current good practice. It will also help to fulfil their health and safety obligations.
This course is aimed at new and existing EVCs.
£140 per person.
Contact Mike Fawcett: 01873 860225Mike@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
Other training providers are available. Visit the OEAP website to find out more.
Visit leader training is a one-day nationally accredited course directed at colleagues who lead or plan to lead visits off site with parties of young people.
It is a practical based course which deals with dynamic risk benefit assessments, and allows the sharing of best practice together with opportunities to raise issues directly related to your setting.
Part of the course is delivered outdoors, so you will need to bring stout footwear and suitable warm and waterproof clothing with you.
Theory and practice moduleFull day - delivered at your school£750 for up to 20 people
Theory module only£600 for half a day or £750 for two twilight sessions(for up to 25 people)
Contact Mike Fawcett: 01873 860225Mike@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
Planning a visit may appear to be a daunting process. Our service aims to ensure that staff have access to practical advice, support and guidance. The initial contact for advice about learning outside of school should be the Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) in your establishment. This person has access to this service and we can support with advice and guidance to ensure that staff plan effectively and are confident with their plans.
The Outdoor Education Advisers' Panel National Guidance website provides advice for planning visits, checklists and up to date information for your role as a:
In the event of an emergency, visit staff should contact their school emergency numbers, alerting their senior management team. Schools and establishments should ensure that visit emergencies are included in their critical incident plans; these should include contact numbers of the Northamptonshire County Council emergency planning team for further support. To find out more visit NCC emergencies in schools website.
Section 7 offers a range of advice for specific activities, which provide a starting point for many activities, that can help with your plans. Please use the Outdoor Education Advisers' Panel National Guidance website as a starting point for advice and guidance using the information to inform you and your staff team on managing different parts of your visit.
Our policy indicates that schools working with the local authority under a service level agreement should use this website for advice and guidance.
The Outdoor Education Advisers Panel accepts the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality badge as evidence of robust safety and quality management systems.
The Adventurous Activities Licensing Service (AALS) license or Adventure Mark badge are also accepted for providers that offer adventurous activities that are in-scope. Check to see if your provider holds a license.
If you choose not to use a provider with one of these accreditations then you are recommended to download and use the choosing a provider guidance:
These visits are close to the school, done on a regular basis involving environments known to the staff. It would include normal daily life activities.
Examples include walks and exploring the area near to the school site, visits to the local church, library, school sporting fixtures and other regular non-complex activity. It can also include transport if needed.
These visits are to areas beyond the local area involving more complex environments and activity, and will be a one off or irregular activity in the school year. The leaders will be approved to lead the visit by the EVC. There may be some specialist training attached to some activities in this area.
Examples include visits further afield, farm visits, local parks, museum visits, swimming lessons in offsite pools, zoo visits, sporting festivals and larger tournaments and some basic outdoor education activity.
Category C visits include residential visits and overseas visits, adventure activities and activities involving water.
It is not possible to provide a completely definitive activities list. Examples of activities included would include Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, outdoor adventure activities including hills and mountains, adventures on water or field studies involving water and motor sports.
For current legislation related to adventurous activities, visit the Adventure Activities Licensing Service website.