School trips
Guidance for ensuring health and safety on educational trips and visits has been published by the Department for Education. It covers getting consent from parents, using and working with outside organisations, adventure activities (such as caving, climbing and trekking), trips abroad and what to do in an emergency. It also focuses on the role of the educational co-ordinator and discusses the evaluation of trips. Visit http://bit.ly/2Q6K2a5
Security guidance
Guidance for schools to help them respond to a range of emergency incidents has been published for consultation.
The Department for Education’s draft guidance is focused on violent crime incidents or terrorist attack. It brings together the various sources of guidance currently in place for schools in a bid to make it easier for school leaders to consider potential risks and work with local partners, such as the police and local authorities, to prepare action plans.
The advice has been developed with organisations including the Home Office, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, and the Health and Safety Executive. Key elements include creating a school security policy and plan, identification of internal and external risks, managing risks, prevention, and using local knowledge. The consultation closes on February 18. Visit http://bit.ly/2r4PbAI