• GUEST BLOG: Planning the perfect school trip

    960 640 Stuart O'Brien
    School-Trip-Blue-Planet-Aquarium

    By the Blue Planet Aquarium

    School outings give students the opportunity to learn new things in stimulating and innovative settings, but it takes a lot to bring a day trip together. From budgeting to itineraries, there is so much to do when you’re planning a school excursion! Make sure you’ve got everything covered by reading our article below.

    Health and Safety

    As a teacher, you’ll naturally take health and safety seriously. But how do you ensure that your pupils don’t come to harm on a school outing? The first step is to complete a thorough risk assessment. This allows you to identify potential hazards and protect your students from accidents and illness.

    To complete the assessment, think about any problems that could occur. Ask yourself:

    • Does the restaurant you’ve picked out for lunch have a decent hygiene rating?
    • Does the place you’re visiting have clear fire safety procedures?
    • And, what about disabled people – Will they experience any access issues? Could this be problematic if there is an emergency?

    There’s a lot to think about. But don’t worry; by jotting down your thoughts, queries and concerns in a list and giving it to your head of department, you’ll have everything covered.

    Budgeting

    There’s no denying that youngsters love going on school trips! Even simple days out boost confidence, social skills, and classroom morale, so it’s always worth arranging an excursion.

    But, planning a trip can be problematic when funds are tight, which is why it’s so important to properly budget.When you start planning, consider the costs of travel, insurance, food, entry tickets, and anything else that might crop up. Once you’ve got a figure in mind, think about the amount of students who will attend. This will give you an idea of what the cost per head will be.

    Your local education authority may also have funds for anyone who receives free school meals. What’s more, some attractions are simply looking for a good deal! If you can get enough people to come along, you can usually get discounts on entry tickets for visiting in a large group, and many attractions also offer free entry for teachers and assistants.

    Creating an Itinerary

    Young people are always buzzing with excitement when they go on a school trip, as they should be! But, of course, it’s your job to keep them on track and check that the trip is a worthwhile learning experience for everyone. A sound way of doing this is to create a loose itinerary. This way, your pupils will get the most from their day, and leave feeling both inspired and educated.

    At the top of your itinerary, briefly explain the aims of the day. What should students be looking out for? Outline the key activities you’ll be taking part in and what the class should take away from each experience. This approach means that they’ll enjoy themselves and absorb useful information.

    Contacting Parents

    Getting the kids ready and excited about your trip is easy, because you see them every day, but don’t forget about the parents! Send out a letter in plenty of time outlining what their children will need. In this letter you’ll have to cover everything from costs, dietary requirements, and clothing, to the itinerary, emergency contact details, and travel – so be sure to send it out early.

    Remember to be open with the parents, too. Add your contact details at the end of your letter, and set up meetings with anyone who has any questions. Understandably, some parents can become concerned when their child is away, but they just need reassurance from you that everything is being taken care of.

    Getting the Most Out of Your Trip

    Whatever you do for your next school trip, make sure you get the most out of it. Blue Planet Aquarium offers educational talks designed specifically for Key Stages 1 to 4, fun activity packs, and even Aquatheatre shows to wow youngsters.

    AUTHOR

    Stuart O'Brien

    All stories by: Stuart O'Brien

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