SCHOOL TRIPS
1. AIMS
to provide as rich and varied an experience as possible by offering relevant and valuable trips away from the school site for the pupils at St Peter's, without compromising their safety.
2. PREAMBLE
The guidelines established by this document are as laid down by the LEA handbook "Guidelines for Organisers".

3. OBLIGATIONS REQUIRED BY POLICY
i Teachers taking school children on non-hazardous day trips away from the school site should
seek approval from the headteacher using form RVJI which is available in the staff-room;
note that Automatic Group A insurance is valid, and that no further action is needed for insurance purposes;
pin a list of the pupils involved in the trip on the staff-room notice board beside the RVJI;
collect official parental consent forms from each and every pupil on the trip, noting that there are two versions of the form, one for 'one-off' trips and another for 'regular' trips, each of which explains the insurance cover;
ensure that the supervision ratios on the proposed trip meet the requirements of the LEA handbook.
Teachers taking school children away on residential trips within the United Kingdom should in addition to the requirements listed above
inform the governors;
take out Group A insurance with Commercial Union, at least a full fortnight before departure, using the forms provided in the handbook and following the rates published there;
ensure that written confirmation of the insurance has been received before departure;
send a letter to all parents giving a full itinerary of the trip;
note the emergency procedures outlined in the handbook.
Teachers taking school children away on residential trips outside the United Kingdom should in addition to the requirements listed above
take out Group B insurance with Commercial Union, at least a full fortnight before departure, using the forms provided in the handbook and following the rates published there;
Teachers taking school children away on day trips or residential trips which involve hazardous activities should in addition to the requirements listed above
gain approval from the headteacher, from the governors, from the LEA and from the appropriate 'centres', using forms RVJI and RVJII, at least three full weeks before going;
note that special insurance rates apply to trips involving hazardous activities;
establish whether the facilities to be used are provided by commercial, charitable or private operators, completing form Appendix H-5 as required.

ii THE GOVERNORS should
note carefully all proposals for trips and refuse permission for any about which they have any doubts.
vi All staff should
note that there is no school or LEA insurance covering the use of staff cars to carry pupils;
inform their insurers if there is a possibility that they might use their vehicles to carry pupils, for which there may be an increased premium;
inform parents and gain their permission before carrying pupils in staff cars, except in hospital emergencies;
note that parents' insurance will allow them to carry pupils, though parents of pupils being transported in other adults' cars still need to be informed;
note that all these transport requirements apply just as forcibly to sixth form students, even when they are proposing using their own cars, when, again, insurers and parents, as appropriate, must be informed;
note the arrangements made for the booking and use of the school minibus, ensuring that they are qualified to drive it, etc;
note that all trip requirements apply to sixth form trips without any exceptions.
4. The execution of this policy shall be monitored by SMT and the governors.