Residential educational visits to resume from 17 May

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the country’s roadmap out of lockdown is on track and Step 3 will go ahead as planned on 17 May, and the DfE has published updated guidance on how schools should now operate.

The guidance confirms that from 17 May, residential educational visits can take place within the UK.

The guidance says that visits should only have pupils from a single existing bubble, and that bubbles are no larger than circa 30 children. It also says only teachers and members of the school workforce already part of the established school bubble should accompany pupils on the visit but they they do not count towards the bubble size. Parents, carers or volunteers should not accompany the group.

The Department recommends schools and colleges do not plan for international visits to take place up to and including 5 September, recognising the logistical difficulties that will remain in place this academic year regarding overseas travel with groups of children. The position beyond 5 September will be reviewed in advance of Step 4.