The EVC Magazine Spring 2025 - Flipbook - Page 25
A CLEARER PICTURE
Looking back, it’s clear how far the sector has come. In
the past, safety measures were inconsistent, relying on
individual providers’ best practices. Now, educational
visits are guided by robust legislation, clear policies and
well-structured training programmes, helping to raise and
maintain standards.
That said, there’s always room for growth. The sector
continues to adapt to new challenges, including climate
change, mental health considerations and the role of
digital technology in visit planning and communication.
Natasha’s Law, introduced in 2021 to improve food
allergen labelling, is an example of how safety standards
can continue to develop and improve.
Educational visits are widely recognised as an important
part of learning and development by schools, parents
and politicians across the UK. This progress speaks
to the dedication of those who have worked tirelessly
to improve safety. By continuing to learn and evolve,
the sector can ensure that future generations of young
people enjoy enriching and memorable outdoor learning
experiences.
WHY IT MATTERS
For schools and families, the changes described
here have made a real difference. Where once there
may have been uncertainty about the risks involved
in outdoor learning, today’s well-established safety
framework ensures that young people can explore,
discover and learn with reassurance. High-quality
training for EVCs and Visit Leaders, clear guidance
and comprehensive visit-planning tools such as
EVOLVE support the effective planning, recording
and monitoring of visits, giving staff and parents
confidence in the process.
l OEAP
Employer
Guidance
l OEAP
National
Guidance
l SAPOE
Going
Out There
guidance
So many acronyms...
but what do they mean?
AAIAC
Adventure Activities Industry
Advisory Committee
AALA
Adventure Activities Licensing
Authority
AHOEC
Association of Heads of Outdoor
Education Centres
BAPA
British Activity Providers
Association
BS
British Standard
CCPR
Central Council of Physical
Recreation
CLOtC
Council for Learning Outside the
Classroom
DfE
Department for Education
DfES
Department for Education and
Skills
EPA
Expedition Providers Association
EVC
Educational Visits Coordinator
HASPEV
Health and Safety of Pupils on
Educational Visits
IOL
Institute for Outdoor Learning
LEA
Local Education Authority
LOtC
Learning Outside the Classroom
OEAP
Outdoor Education Advisers’
Panel
SAPOE
Scottish Advisory Panel for
Outdoor Education
With thanks to Clive Atkins, Graham Lodge and Richard
Painter for contributing their combined experience to this
article. The dates in this article are correct to the best of
our knowledge and that of our advisers. Please contact the
editor with any feedback or corrections.
l BS 8848
Organising and
Managing Visits,
Fieldwork,
Expeditions and
Adventurous
Activities
Outside the UK
l DfE Health
and Safety on
Educational
Visits
guidance
update
l Natasha’s
Law
l BS 31031
Managing Risk
for Youth and
School Trips
2011 2012 2013 2014 2018 2021 2024
View the full timeline for more milestones in educational visits at www.evolveadvice.co.uk/timeline
THE EVC MAGAZINE – SPRING 2025
25
