National Guidance for Educational Visits
There are a range of national organisations that provide guidance related to Educational Visits. This page provides quick links to the relevant pages. These pages do not replace your employers guidance.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
To tackle some of the myths about red tape and prosecution, HSE has published a policy statement to encourage all schools (in both maintained and independent sectors) and local authorities to remove wasteful bureaucracy imposed on those involved in organising school visits and outdoor learning activities.
Department for Education (DfE)
The Department for Education has provided Health and safety advice for schools
Guidance to help schools understand their health and safety obligations.
British Standards Institution (BSI)
The British Standards Institution have adopted the ISO 31031:2024.
The standard provides guidance on managing risks associated with youth and school trips. It covers risk management strategies for both domestic and international travel, focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young adults.
The Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits (OEAP)
Guidance for the management of high-quality outdoor learning, educational visits and adventurous activities.
It is designed to support safe high-quality learning experiences for young people.
It is relevant to schools, colleges, youth services and other formal and informal settings, in the public, private, voluntary and charitable sectors.
It covers provision across England and Wales, but much of it is applicable elsewhere.
Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE)
SAPOE is tasked by the Scottish Government with maintaining and implementing Scotland’s framework for safe practice in off-site visits, called Going Out There.
This framework was developed by SAPOE in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Education Scotland and the Association of Directors of Education, with input from other partners including voluntary organisations and providers.
Association for Physical Education (AfPE)
AfPE provide guidance on Physical Education: Safe Practice in Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity.
Updated annually, this essential reference offers the latest guidance to safeguard students and staff in both curricular and extracurricular activities.
