We actively encourage Party Leaders to preview their chosen resort where they can assess the practical and safety issues of leading a group there. Call us for details of forthcoming inspection visits.

Just as we actively encourage Party Leaders to preview their chosen resort to assess the practical and safety issues of leading a group there, we also recommend that the tour participants themselves are given an opportunity to practice their chosen activities in advance.

We ensure that first aid arrangements are in place when high risk adventurous activities are undertaken, but in all cases we recommend that at least one group supervisory adult has a current First Aid qualification and carries first aid provisions with them at all times. In addition, where a group intends to make use of a pool or natural open water body swimming facilities, we recommend that at least one group supervisory adult has a current Lifeguarding qualification.

Demystifying Risk Assessments

Many teachers would like to take their pupils on a school trip but are worried about the prospect of completing the risk assessment. The good news is though that the process is not as complicated as you may think.

Party Leaders will need to follow the guidelines for their particular school and LEA. However, use of a properly selected tour operator can substantially reduce liabilities and work load. It is our, the tour operator's, responsibility to carry out checks on all the component parts of their visits - such as the accommodation and transport - and so we can assist Party Leaders with the local information that they need to develop their management plans. By handing over this part of visit organising, you can better allocate your time to developing your own management plan and the delivery of the educational content of the visit.

Within the context of school travel, a risk assessment is consistent with a group management plan. In other words, the means by which leaders 'steer' their group through to the objective of arriving home safe and sound. Download the School Travel Forum's "Demystifying risk assessments" guide for a full description.

Although we cannot complete your Risk Assessment for you, we are members of the School Travel Forum, ABTA and ATOL and we have a strong Safety Management System in place. This means you can use our Safety Management System as part of your risk assessment, saving you time and effort. We also have a range of generic risk assessments that we will provide to you on request.