Helping teachers to cope with school trip travel restrictions

Following events such as the Paris terror attacks last November, Gill Harvey, general manager of the School Travel Forum, offers advice to teachers and school trip organisers dealing with Foreign Office travel restrictions

One of the roles of the School Travel Forum is to provide essential reassurance for leaders looking to organise school trips. As the awarding body of the Learning Outside of the Classroom Quality Badge, our commitment to school trip safety standards is paramount. We fully understand the recent difficult decisions teachers, parents and pupils have had to make regarding travel to France following the school trip travel restrictions imposed by French and UK authorities during November.

Teachers have found themselves in a very challenging position as they have had to deal with pupils’ disappointment, parents’ fears over safety and reimbursement and the need to offer alternative school trip opportunities. Extra difficulties arise when schools choose to take a DIY approach when arranging their trip by booking travel and accommodation as separate elements, this means that they do not have the financial protection of a package tour. Travelling with an STF Assured Member ensures financial protection and also 24/7 support to help cope with unpredictable situations.

All STF Assured Members benefit from the protection of the Package Travel Regulations and must be members of approved schemes ensuring fair trading and full financial security. Whilst over 16,000 school trips are organised through STF Assured Members each year, all protected by the LOtC Quality Badge, unfortunately 22 per cent of schools still choose to self-organise, often for cost reasons – which can be a false economy, when you consider that the average cost of a school trip is around £20,000.

To ease the burden on teachers organising school trips in the current global climate, the following steps should help all parties to remain informed and aware of their options should similar school travel restrictions be imposed in future.

Advice for Teachers Dealing with School Trip Travel Restrictions

In the event of the Foreign Office imposing travel restrictions it is important to call your travel company as soon as possible to discuss all options.

Talk to your local Outdoor Education Advisor who will be in contact with associations such as the STF.

Booking with an STF Assured Member means that your provider will always try to be flexible to help schools continue their trips where possible. This can often mean changing the itinerary to mitigate any safety concerns.

Monitor updates on the FCO website, to receive up to date information visit: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Speak to your insurance company and your Local Education Authority to ensure that you understand what your cover includes.

For further information visit www.schooltravelforum.com