DfE Trips Update - 26th March 2021

The DfE have just released an update to their guidance and this is pasted below

In line with current coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, we continue to advise against undertaking all educational visits.

DfE recognises the significant benefits of educational visits for children’s educational development as well as their mental health and wellbeing and is taking steps to allow children to enjoy visits in line with the government’s roadmap. The roadmap is driven by data, not dates. The government will only move from one step to the next when it is safe to do so and based on 4 tests.

For that reason, all dates are indicative and subject to change. Advice will be updated in line with the roadmap.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/schools-coronavirus-covid-19-operational-guidance#educational-visits

Educational Day Visits

Schools can resume educational day visits no earlier than 12th April 2021

Any educational day visits must be conducted in line with relevant coronavirus (COVID-19) secure guidelines and regulations in place at that time. This includes system of controls, such as keeping children within their consistent groups and the COVID-secure measures in place at the destination.

Schools should undertake full and thorough risk assessments in relation to all educational visits to ensure they can be undertaken safely. As part of this risk assessment, schools will need to consider what control measures need to be used and follow wider advice on visiting indoor and outdoor venues. Schools should consult the health and safety guidance on educational visits when considering visits.

UK residential educational visits

In line with the roadmap, DfE advise against domestic residential educational visits until at least step 3, no earlier than 17 May 2021.

The roadmap is driven by data not dates. The approach to domestic residential visits is dependent on the roadmap and is subject to change.

Existing bookings

Should step 3 commence as planned, you may undertake domestic residential education visits, that are already booked, no earlier than 17 May.

Any domestic residential educational visits must be conducted in line with relevant coronavirus (COVID-19) secure guidance and regulations in place at that time.

New bookings

Schools may begin planning for new domestic residential educational visits to take place. Should step 3 commence as planned, new visits will be possible from and no earlier than 17 May.

Schools are advised not to enter into any new financial or contractual commitments at this stage. This advice will remain under review and updated at the earliest opportunity.

Any new domestic residential educational visits must be conducted in line with relevant coronavirus (COVID-19) secure guidance and regulations in place at that time.

We are working with Public Health England and the sector on what coronavirus (COVID-19) secure residential visits will look like at step 3, and further advice will be provided.

International visits

The Global Travel Taskforce has been commissioned to set out how to facilitate a return to international travel as soon as possible while managing the risk from imported variants of concern. It is due to report on 12 April 2021. This advice will be updated following the publication of the report.

Updated Visual inline with DfE.

Trips FAQs

Please take a look at our FAQs here https://www.evolveadvice.co.uk/faqs

School Local Learning Area

One of the more common questions we are being asked is ‘Can I run trips in my local area which involve a walk such as to a local park, forest or green area?’ The answer is Yes.

The DfE define these as ‘routine visits’ and ‘They can be considered as lessons in a different classroom.’

National Guidance also state: “…many schools routinely use outdoor areas adjacent to and nearby the school for educational activities, sometimes designated as a ‘Local Learning Area’. It should be possible to continue to use many of these venues within current limitations, especially if they are within walking or cycling distance of the establishment.”As long as these visits do not include transport, you can continue to run these lessons. You should ensure you have a Local Learning Area Policy and Standard Operating Procedures in place. Your bubbles must be maintained at all times. This is a good opportunity to review your risk assessments and procedures to ensure they are up to date.

EVOLVE have launched a free module to record your Local Learning Area. If you log into EVOLVE, click the ‘Add’ button there is a video explaining this.

Virtual School Trips

Whilst we wait for school trips to return, our colleague at Norfolk CC has compiled a comprehensive list of potential virtual visits.

Training Courses

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