EVC Magazine Autumn 2025_digital - Flipbook - Page 14
Residentials
Preparing Parents and
Carers for Residentials
Follow our step-by-step guide to make sure that parents and
carers are ready for their children’s residential adventures
esidential visits are a
valuable part of any child's
education, helping them to
gain independence, develop
friendships and explore
learning outside the classroom.
They are also opportunities for
children to learn to identify
and manage risks – a vital
part of growing up.
R
However, for many parents
and carers this can be an
anxious time, especially if
their children are going away
for the first time. Making sure
that families feel informed
and prepared will give them
greater confidence about
the experience. Our how-to
guide should help to make
everything go smoothly.
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ADVANCE INFORMATION
Start with a parents’ information
evening where you can talk through
the details of the visit and answer
any questions. Visit providers are
often willing to come to these
sessions or provide materials that
you can use.
Make sure you cover:
where and when the children
are going
the educational reasons for
the visit
the personal benefits of attending
activities and accommodation
arrangements
staffing and supervision
arrangements
what it will cost and when
payment will be needed
whether there will be a payment
plan to help spread the cost
code of conduct and expectations
A written information pack is also
helpful and can be printed and/or
posted on the school app or website.
Include key dates and details, the
itinerary, kit list, medical consent
forms and behaviour policies.
ITINERARY AND KIT LIST
Provide parents with a rough
itinerary and kit list so they
understand what their child will
be doing each day and what will
be needed, such as wet weather
clothing, footwear and any
special equipment.
Make it affordable by providing
details of second-hand shops and
websites or clothing hire companies
for specialist clothing. You could
also do a call-out for things like
backpacks, sleeping-bags and
wellingtons; other families at the
school may be willing to lend theirs.
