03 October 2008
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has said fears of litigation over school trips should be 'consigned to history' as the government announced a £4.5m package to reduce red tape and provide teachers with more support.
The measures were unveiled at the first Learning Outside the Classroom national conference on October 2.
They include a Quality Badge award scheme to identify organisations that 'provide high-quality experiences and manage safety effectively' and cut paperwork for teachers.
The Out & About package will also provide online guidance to help staff plan for trips or outdoor activities and a £2.5m initiative, funded and run by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation charity, to promote residential schemes.
Balls said: 'It is wrong to wrap children in cotton wool as they grow up. Today's package makes a clear case for the benefits of learning outside the classroom.
'It is a massive step forward to making it easier for teachers to take pupils out of the classroom – giving them the confidence and tools to organise outside the classroom environment; cutting paperwork and red tape on visits; and breaking down the fear of litigation.'
Balls said it was time to end the 'fear of compensation culture'. He added: 'Individual teachers do not get sued, because their employer holds public insurance liability and prosecutions for gross negligence are extremely rare.'
Education watchdog Ofsted published a report on how schools and colleges provide off-site activities for students on October 2.
The report, Learning outside the classroom: how far should you go?, found 'well-planned activities not only enhance pupils' learning, but can also re-engage those who are hard to motivate'.
But it said schools and colleges were often unable to assess the effectiveness, inclusiveness or value for money of activities.
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