School trips are a great opportunity for children to learn about independence and develop stronger bonds with their peers. However, planning and organising a school trip can be challenging and comes with all sorts of trials and tribulations. You need to know the main goals of the school trip and the basic criteria your employer expects.
Here are a few tips to help you plan your next school trip.
Plan early
Planning in advance can help you resolve any issues in due time and remain calm throughout the process. First, decide on the location and consider the educational value it brings to the trip. You could choose between a forest, castle, town and much more – just make sure your location and activities are appropriate for the age group.
You will need to hire a minibus for the school, or maybe even hire one if it’s budget. Try to invest in a fully accessibly minibus for your school to cater for every child and teacher.
Assess any health and safety risks
You will need to do several risk assessments to make sure the trip is appropriate for children. Always check if there are any health and safety concerns that you should be aware of, like allergies, diabetes, and mental illness. When you are on the trip, you should always have a first aid kit to hand equipped with the necessary emergency equipment. You should also consider the accessibility of your location and the needs of those on your trip. For example, the accommodation may need to be wheelchair accessible.
Maintain excellent health and safety throughout the trip and try to go above and beyond your usual duty of care. Always demand transparency with the provider’s health and safety credentials to avoid any unforeseen risks.
Brief the parents and kids
It’s essential to let the parents know what kind of clothes the kids need to wear – according to the weather and place. For example, if it’s an outdoorsy trip, the parents may need to invest in waterproof trousers, coats, and footwear for their child. School trips can be a big expense for parents, so try to give them ample time to prepare and buy everything they need. The parents also need to know what type of food and accommodation will be provided.
Stay aware, be prepared, and make sure your entire school trip team is trained in health and safety.
