The following information is a brief introduction to managing health and safety in your local area. See the health and safety section and read our concise guides for further advice on the outdoor learning issues explored below.
This context has the great benefit of ready accessibility, but immediate assistance from the school may now be rather difficult to obtain, so greater self-sufficiency of management is needed.
The important step for the leader to take in advance is to go through an imaginative process of risk assessment to identify any hazards that might be lurking out there and then decide how they should be managed.
Some examples of hazards include:
- the possibility of falling branches
- poisonous or irritant plants
- water - drowning hazards can exist even in shallow water
- infection from animal faeces
- traffic hazards
- learners becoming separated and lost
- collapsing walls
- hostile animals
- power cables
- machinery
- pits and quarries
- shooting activities.
A reconnaissance visit by leaders may not be essential but does help to contain many potential problems, especially if it includes the pre-excursion risk assessment.
Child protection issues should also be considered. Consideration should be given to vetting helpers.
Getting approval
Depending on the activity undertaken and on the proximity to the school, some local activities in school grounds can be approved by the head of establishment alone, but it may be necessary to notify or get approval from your local authority. Seek advice locally.
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