St.Marys

St Mary's NS
Grange Road
Rathfarnham
Dublin 16.
POLICY ON TOURS/OUTINGS

April 2005

St Mary's Rathfarnham - POLICY ON TOURS/OUTINGS
Preamble
Taking into account the age and interest of the children and the curriculum being covered, School Tours will be arranged by the school to present the children with a new environment in which they can observe, investigate and relate their findings to their own environment.
Tours will be arranged at the discretion of the teacher in charge of a class, or a teacher in charge of certain interest groups e.g. Choir/Sports.
l.Type of Trips
There are three types of trip
A. Local walks (where no transport is required)
Details should be notified to the office outlining; venue, time of departure and expected time of return. A mobile phone should be brought. The ratio of adult/child supervision is at the discretion of the class teacher.
B. Day Trips bus/ cars involved
A minimum child/adult ratio of 15:1 is required. A letter should be issued to parents outlining the details e.g. time, cost etc. Written parental consent should be included in this letter. No money should need to be brought any costs to be covered in the overall cost of the trip.
If cars are being brought, drivers need to be informed of Insurance procedures. A laminated sheet with these details to be issued by the office and returned following the tour. If bus is used, driver(s) need to comply with conditions of hire A tour kit is also to be brought (see below).
C. Overnight and international trips
The minimum child/adult ratio should be 10:1. This should include 2 teachers for groups of 20 children and 3 teachers thereafter. Written request should be made to Board of Management.
Children are allowed bring a set amount of spending money. An information meeting should be held in advance of the trip, for teachers and parents. 24 hour contact number to be available.
Head counts should be done after each change of transport.

Leaders should take with them the address and telephone number of the nearest Irish Embassy. Leaders should have contact name, address and phone number for each child.
The Principal to be provided with a full itinerary of the trip and contact numbers at all destinations.

Bill form or equivalent should be completed for all pupils travelling Signed Medical Consent Form from parents in order to agree to their child receiving emergency treatment and/or general consent to administer medicine(s). Children should generally carry their own medicine.
A vouching agent is required for all families hosting pupils. A school principal or teacher in the host venue may act as a vouching agent. Children are allowed to bring mobile phones for limited use.
No more than 1 international trip should take place in any school year Planning should begin in September for trip taking place in term 3 with dates well signposted. However allowance may made for exceptional circumstances or for trips involving a small number of children.
2. Safety and Supervision
Teachers and parents the will be extra vigilant when taking children out of the school. Special attention will be paid to road safety, behaviour on bus, risks posed by particular venues (e.g. adventure playgrounds etc.).
Parents should be informed of their responsibilities in this regard before any trip. 3. Venue
The teacher will be as 'au fait' as possible and have gathered information on any potential venue, with particular reference to educational opportunities afforded and services available (phone, toilets, emergency facilities). Where no phone facilities exist, the leader will have pre-arranged plan to deal with emergencies.
Where more than one class travels, one teacher will accept the role of 'leader'.
Teachers will be conscious of the likely busier' days e.g. Choir is on a Wednesday, Tionol on a Friday.
4. Informing Parents
Teachers will ensure that Parents are given sufficient notice of: Itinerary and timetable Cost Special clothing necessary and packed lunch (no glassware)
5. Cost/Finance
The teachers will endeavour that the cost of the tour is reasonable and represents value for money. A\l children will be actively encouraged to save towards the cost of the tour.
Those intending to travel (including parents) should cover costs. This total cost of the trip should include the cost of providing subs for teachers travelling.
Where appropriate, the school savings scheme may be used to encourage boys to save for the cost of the trip.
6. Tour Kit
Leaders will take Tour Kit' on all outings. These will be available from the office. The kit will contain:
First Aid materials, refuse and illness bags, newspapers, kitchen paper,ginger snap biscuits, 7 Up, travel sickness tablets.
Mobile phone, maps of locality, umbrella
Money to buy parents coffee while on tour, or a flask of hot water, teabags, milk and biscuits
Tip for driver (teachers may use their own discretion here).
7. Conduct on Tours
Pupils' behaviour on tours will comply with the standard set down in the School's Code of Discipline. In certain circumstances, parents may be asked to agree to a contract on behaviour on behalf of their child.
Where it is felt that a child's conduct would pose a safety risk or inhibit the educational benefit for self or others, the teacher may refuse the child permission to travel. Parents to be advised of this in advance. /Alternatively, parents may be asked to accompany their child.

8. Dress Code.

Teachers travelling will decide dress standards in conjunction with school dress code. If uniform is inappropriate, school tracksuit to be worn. Some tours may however require old clothes/change of clothes.

9. Weather Conditions
Rain and headgear will be essential for all children and a change of clothes may be
necessary, depending on the venue.
If weather conditions are unfavourable, the group will have the use of the bus for
sheltering or for eating lunch. This will need to be confirmed with the bus
company.
10.After the Tour
Where problems arise, either with such things as the venue or transport, teachers will report back to the transport / tour organises who will in turn discuss it with the Principal.
Thank you cards to be sent to venues/hosts by the children etc. 11. Disabled Children
Tours should endeavour to ensure that disabled children are sufficiently catered for. •
Agreed by the Board of Management 9 April 2005.