Teach Primary Issue 18.4

A s a teacher, you should be able to take pupils on exciting visits that broaden their horizons. The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP) can help you make the most of every school trip. Established in 1978, the OEAP is the lead body for guidance, advice and training related to outdoor learning and educational visits in England and Wales. It has around 120 members and provides information and training to support these advisers in their work with schools. The OEAP was initially set up as a professional support network for staff advising local authorities and schools on issues relating to outdoor education and educational visits. Prior to its formation, these advisers often worked in isolation. Over time, various government guidance documents defined the important role of these advisers. This advice has been refined over the years. You can now find it on the OEAP website ( oeapng. adventurous activities ( oeapng.info/ guidance-documents ). This includes residential visits and overseas visits. The guidance supports safe learning experiences for young people and is enabling, rather than restrictive. It covers provision across England and Wales, but much of it is applicable elsewhere, too. The guidance helps visit leaders and schools to plan and deliver high-quality and safe learning experiences. The starting point for planning school trips is being clear about your rationale. Once you’ve identified your aims and thought about how you’ll measure the trip’s impact, you can effectively plan the location and method of delivery. The OEAP’s national guidance is referenced in DfE guidance and is also supported by Welsh government and the Health and Safety Executive. The guidance comprises eight sections, from basic essentials through to FAQs and more. It’s an online resource, which the OEAP continually improves and updates to reflect a developing understanding of good practice. Do remember that as a visit leader you should always follow your school’s own trip policies and guidance as well. Membership So, can you as an educator join the OEAP? Absolutely! Members progress through a series of membership levels as they develop. Ordinary membership is when your contracted role includes or supports the functions of an outdoor education adviser and/or educational visits adviser. An Ordinary member hasn’t had their competencies verified by the OEAP, and employers may need to confirm those competencies to match up with the national guidance document defining the role. Accredited members are verified by the OEAP as having the competencies to fulfil the role of an outdoor education adviser. A Fellow is an individual who meets the Accredited member definition and demonstrates through an application process that they have made significant contribution to the work of OEAP. Thomas Booth is an education visits advisor employed by Rochdale Borough Council. He works with a number of neighbouring LAs and MATs to provide advice, guidance and training. Thomas Booth Ensure fuss-free school trips that run smoothly from start to finish, with expert advice from The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel info ). It’s endorsed by the DfE, HSE, NAHT and NEU, among others. The OEAP believes that every child should have access to a comprehensive programme of high-quality outdoor learning, educational visits and adventurous activities as an integral part of their school curriculum. So, what can the OEAP do for you? Specialist training and resources Selected OEAP members can provide your school with up-to-date, focused and relevant training to ensure that your staff are working to the very highest standards. They also offer learning cards that feature a range of activities which can support schools in the delivery of outdoor and environmental learning. Professional guidance The OEAP has developed national guidance to help anyone who organises outdoor learning, educational visits and Are you getting the best school visit support and training? VO I C E S www.teachwire.net | 15