Education Outside the Classroom

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Education Outside the Classroom

School Policy

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) Policy

Purpose

Education outside the classroom (EOTC) involves all learning, sporting and social activities that take place outside the classroom and includes activities in the local community as well as further afield. Such activities could include curriculum-related field trips, visits to other schools, outdoor pursuits, and visits to museums, participation in interschool competitions, sports and cultural camps, school camps, interschool exchanges and overseas trips.

These activities form an essential and integral part of all students’ education at school and serve to enhance and supplement the learning that takes place within the classroom. The school is committed to providing relevant EOTC experiences for all students, in various curriculum areas. Through the careful management of risk these can provide children with stimulating, safe and enjoyable experiences.

Scope

All staff members; including casual, relief, independent contractors and parent helpers.

Policy

School Commitments

·  To offer a wide variety of quality learning experiences in EOTC activities and enhance the curriculum through the EOTC

·  To ensure all students involved in EOTC activities have a safe and educationally valuable experience

·  Provide learners with relevant and enjoyable experiences that enrich and link all learning areas

·  Provide opportunities for personal growth through challenge, adventure and enjoyment, both close to home and further away

·  Provide opportunities for students to participate in sporting, cultural and leadership experiences on a social, competitive or representative level

·  Increase awareness of our locality and take advantage of facilities available within the Region, i.e. museums, observatories, town hall, waterways, etc

·  Develop the skills needed to move safely and with confidence in urban, rural and wilderness settings

·  Promote awareness of our heritage and culture on local, national and global scales

·  Assist students to take increased responsibility for their own personal and social development resulting in a higher degree of respect for themselves and others

·  To increase awareness and understanding of the traditions and values of the tangata whenua, their own and other cultural groups.

The following steps in the EOTC documentation must be completed for each EOTC experience:

1.  Approval Process

Initial application for approval form completed by Teacher in Charge (TIC) a term in advance and handed to the relevant JS/MS/SS Assistant Principal

2.  Planning

EOTC planning check list followed. Parental notification, consent, contacts, medical and Risk Disclosure details to be completed. Letters/emails to be sent out to the parents two weeks in advance for general trips. Camp letter details to be sent out six weeks in advance. Parent Police Vets are submitted eight weeks prior to the event

3.  Risk Management

All Risk Assessment and Management Strategies (RAMS) documentation completed and handed to the relevant JS/MS/SS Assistant Principal at least three weeks before the date of the trip by the TIC. This will be checked and a follow up discussion held between the two parties allowing the TIC time to make amendments where necessary. During the EOTC event any changes or unplanned events to the original RAMS documentation must be recorded on the appropriate forms

4.  Incident Reporting Process

This is to be followed for any incident on the EOTC activity

5.  Trip Review Process

Ratios

A ratio compares the number of skilled/experienced supervisors with the number of novices involved in an EOTC event. It is important that the ratio is high enough to ensure a high quality learning experience and safe event. Ratios will vary depending on the student needs, age group, activity, location and competence of the students and staff involved. When EOTC events are held in foreign or remote environments or involve hazardous activities, the ratio should match the increased level of risk involved.

The following Ministry of Education and Education Outdoors New Zealand recommended ratio of Teachers and Adult Supervisors to students will be adhered to: These are General Guidelines only. For each EOTC activity the ratios must be checked with the EOTC

Co-ordinator for JS/MS/SS

In and On Water or Subterranean Activities 1 adult: 4 students

Bush Walks, Farm Visits, Tramping etc. 1:8

Museums, Movie Theatres etc. 1:13

Walking to Village 1:10

Climbing/bouldering 1:8 less experienced

1:12 more experienced

Snow based Excursions 1: 8

When planning an EOTC event teachers should ensure that:

·  All students are given the opportunity to participate

·  Safe practices are encouraged by all who participate

·  Parent expense is considered and where appropriate costs are reimbursed

·  All visits are relevant to the school programme

·  Parent helpers are aware of their responsibilities beforehand

·  Provision is made for children not attending class trips.

A comprehensive and complete First Aid Kit must be taken, including individual medication if required. First Aid kits are available from the Support Services Centre. These must be ordered two weeks in advance by lodging a request through BOOST and be returned within two days of the event taking place (check with the Support Services Team).

An operational cell phone shall be carried on all EOTC visits (School Cell Phone Located upstairs at Business Services - check with Director of Business Services)

When hiring commercial operators to act as instructors within the approved programme, ensure that the operators are covered by the established guidelines for their area of expertise. All documentation relating to the use of outside providers must be completed in full before the event takes place.

Teachers will visit and be familiar with the location. In the case of Outdoor Pursuits the site must be visited prior to the trip. A phone call to check on entry, exit and parking procedures is necessary when planning an annual trip to an identified landmark e.g. Zoo, Museum, Kelly Tarltons and Rainbows End.

The Senior Leadership Team will ensure that adequate funds will be made available for all staff involved in EOTC, attending approved workshops, courses, and training.

Adult helpers, including Outside Providers will be made aware of the details of the Transport of Student Policy and Adult Supervision Policy.

All Adults attending an overnight visit or camp will be made aware that the consumption of alcohol or use of illicit drugs and the smoking of tobacco will not be permitted.

Please note:

Approval for overnight trips or camps will be sought from the relevant JS/MS/SS Assistant Principal in consultation with the Principal of each school. The Principal is responsible for giving official approval of such an EOTC event. Teachers planning an overnight trip will follow the procedures set out above and those appended to this policy.

The Principal has the overall responsibility for all EOTC Events.

Associated Documents:

Transport of Students’ Policy (EOTC)

Adult Supervision Policy (EOTC)

Traumatic Incident Response Action Plan Policy

Origination: 1999 Reviewed: August 2016 Next Review: August 2018 Policy Owner: Executive Principal

Approved for release