Audience : all schools
The government have announced that domestic residential educational visits can recommence as the country enters stage 3 of the roadmap.
The DfE and DCMS guidance details the considerations which schools and accommodation providers must put in place for residential visits in the summer term.
The details can be found at Schools coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk) and Hotels and other guest accommodation - Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
In summary:
• Bubbles should be formed only from existing school bubbles.
• Bubbles should be no larger than circa 30 children.
• Only school staff already part of the established school bubble should accompany pupils.
• Parents, carers or volunteers should not accompany the group.
• Bubble integrity should be maintained throughout the visit and members should not mix with other guests or bubbles.
• It is recommended that members of school staff have their own single room.
• Accommodation providers should consider introducing a system of staggered entry and booked timeslots for using shower facilities for accommodation with shared facilities.
The guidance currently in place requires the Outdoor Learning Service to restrict centre capacity. Dining and shower facilities would need to be staggered to allow designated school (bubble) use and appropriate cleaning regimes to be put in place in between multiple groups. This would limit attendance at the centres and requires adaptation of existing programmes to allow staggered use of shared facilities.
Schools have a very short time frame to plan, arrange payments and consent, and determine the pupils able to attend residential visits, including where centre capacity does not allow intended cohorts to attend in full.
The Outdoor Learning Service will not be recommencing residential provision in the summer term; however plans are being made for residential bookings to recommence from September 2021 and the service will be providing day provision as an option for schools from 7th June.
We believe this will allow as many schools as possible to access service-led outdoor learning provision as part of their curriculum offer. Please contact the service to discuss the possibilities which may be available for your school.