Educational Visits

National Guidance

The Council adopt the OEAP's 'National Guidance' as the definitive source of educational visits guidance. You can access this guidance at www.oeapng.info. 

National Guidance and the DfE guidance recommend that schools use providers who hold the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge as this shows that they meet nationally recognised standards. 

Educational Visits Coordinators (EVCs)

Schools should appoint an educational visits coordinator and make sure they have the training they need. The headteacher assumes this duty if there is no coordinator. The coordinator should:

• be an experienced visits leader
• have the status to be able to guide the working practices of other staff
• be confident in assessing the ability of other staff to lead visits
• be confident in assessing outside activity providers
• be able to advise headteachers and governors when they're approving trips
• have access to training, advice and guidance. It is recommended EVCs undertake an approved EVC training course every 2 years.

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, visit staff should contact their school emergency numbers, alerting their senior management team. Schools and establishments should ensure that emergencies are included in their critical incident plans. 

EVOLVE Advice

The Council recommends EVOLVE Advice to provide schools with expert advice, guidance, training and support on all educational visits matters.  The EVOLVE Advice  service ensures schools have access to competent advice for all matters related to educational visits. It includes direct access to advisers, signposting to relevant guidance, support with planning visits and approval of all overseas, residential and adventurous visits.  

Other providers are available. Visit www.oeapng.info to find out more. 

If you have any further queries, please contact education@hillingdon.gov.uk