Newport, Co. Mayo

Phone 098-41442

E-Mail newportmayo.ias@eircom.net

TOURS POLICY/ EDUCATIONAL OUTINGS

School class tours are arranged by teachers every year, usually in summer term. Other class outings/ field trips/ excursions are also organised  throughout the year, at the teacher’s discretion.

Aims of trip

Transport:
The organiser of the tour ensures that (a) a form of transport, appropriate to the distance and the numbers travelling, is chosen, and (b) the bus company/suppliers and drivers accept the following conditions:
Conditions of Transport Hire:

Teachers have the right to refuse any bus/coach they find unsuitable for their outing. If the bus proves unsuitable, a replacement must be supplied or the money refunded.
The driver needs to be used to dealing with children, and have a thorough geographical knowledge and timetable for the tour. The driver is responsible for the safety of the children while travelling, but teachers have the right to intervene if they feel that the safety of the children might be compromised. The class/group has access to the bus for the full day. If weather conditions prove unfavourable, the group has the use of the bus for sheltering or eating lunch. The incidental consumption of food (snacks) and singing on the bus –at an acceptable level—is at the discretion of the teacher in consultation with the driver. Buses are left in the same condition as they are found.

Tour Kit
Teachers take a tour kit on all outings. The tour kit bag is kept in the staffroom, and contains first aid materials (plasters, antiseptic cream, antibacterial cream, latex gloves, first aid manual), as well as paper towels, small plastic bags, a torch and complete list of pupil contact numbers.  The teacher/supervisor also brings the phone no. for the trip destination, in case of bus running late etc., as well as complete list of parents’ contact phone numbers.
Teachers will have their own mobile phone, map, umbrella, money for incidental purposes. Before the tour, teacher will have collected parent/guardian signed consent forms.

Cost:
Teachers ensure that the cost of the tour is reasonable and represents good value for money. All children will be encouraged to save towards the cost of the tour. Teachers are aware of children from low-income families in their class, and make sensitive arrangements for them with regard to cost subsidy (see our Equality Policy).

Spending Money
Teachers notify their class of a reasonable upper limit on spending money (if any), based on age and venue.

Venue
The teacher will be ‘au fait’ with the venue, with particular references to the educational opportunities afforded and services (toilets, emergency facilities, etc.) available. Teachers ensure that venues are suitable for pupils with special needs. Pupils are brought to local venues suitable for educational visits (field trips, etc.) before being brought to venues further afield. P. Mac Eoin has drawn up a list of those local resources (see our History Plan), and each teacher considers this when planning educational trips.
Choice/Range of Tour Venues:
A list of suitable venues for the different class-groups are available and contained in a folder in the staff-room (see list below). Teachers choose a venue for their own class level or lower, but not from levels above. This list is kept under regular review.
Infant Classes                                 Tumble Jungle, Ballina
(Junior & Senior Infants)                 Castle, Kiltimagh
Funsters, Castlebar
Science Museum, Salthill, Galway
Westport House
Middle Classes                               Atlantaquarium, Galway
 (1st, 2nd, 3rd classes)                        Mayo Bowling, Castlebar
Pet Farm, Turoe , Loughrea
Waterworld, Enniscrone
Lough Key Forest Park
Science Museum, Salthill, Galway
Senior Classes                               Delphi Adventure Centre, Leenane
(4th, 5th & 6th classes)                       Ailwee Caves, the Burren + Galway Bowling
Limerick area: Bunratty Castle; Cregganowen; King John’s Castle, Limerick
Athlone Castle; Viking boat; Clonmacnoise
Athenry (Guided tour; Walled town; Castle; Video; Archery)
Plus Local Outings:                       Turlough House, Museum of Country Life
Linenhall Arts Centre
Furnace Research Centre
Local Historical sites

Conduct on Tours
Pupils’ behaviour on tours will comply with the standards set down in our school’s Code of Behaviour. In certain circumstances, parents may be asked to sign a contract of behaviour. In extreme cases, where it is felt that a child’s conduct might pose a safety risk or inhibit the educational benefit for self or others, the teacher may refuse the child permission to travel. Parents would be advised of this in advance, and of arrangements for child’s learning on that day. Pupils are not allowed to bring mobile phones with them on school outings.   

Procedure for School Tours
Before the tour: Teacher has – venue booked, transport organised, timetable set out, parents informed by standard letter of itinerary, timetable, cost, eating arrangements, clothing necessary. Consent forms, signed by parent/guardian, are collected.
On day of tour: The teacher(s) ensures that tour kits are available for each bus, with cash/cheque for venues, cash/cheque for coach company, money for incidentals, own mobile phone.
After tour: Teachers give a brief verbal report to Principal on success of day within two school days after outing. Any problems with transport or venue will be noted and dealt with.
Field Trips
Field trips, or out of school excursions, which relate to a particular area of the curriculum are encouraged. These trips can range from simple walks around the school to organised trips to relevant places of interest. The Principal or Deputy Principal must be informed in advance if it is proposed that a class leave the school grounds.
Creative, careful planning and preparation is essential for fieldwork. It should be a meaningful, purposeful and enjoyable experience.
In organising the excursion, the teacher conducts essential background research, plans on-site activities, and seeks permission to go on sites (if necessary). The trail should be tested from the point of view of road safety and other hazards.
In preparation, the teacher should make out the trail, and check to make sure that skill development is evident. The planned activities should be appropriate.
Teachers are encouraged to prepare children in advance of the trip by ensuring that they have sufficient background knowledge and that they are familiar with the rules governing the trail. There should be follow-up work in the classroom following the field trip—e.g. discussion, written reports, project work, art work, computer work, completion of trail booklets. Teachers should ensure adequate supervision at all times. Where necessary, an extra teacher or parent/ guardian should accompany the class.
In implementing the excursion, parents should be informed of the requirements for the trail, time of departure and time of expected arrival back from the trail, lunch arrangements, weather conditions/ contingency plans. Children should be appropriately dressed for the field trip—e.g. raingear, suitable footwear, etc. Teachers will have parents, telephone numbers and first-aid requirements. No child is to be refused participation in any proposed activity because of family inability to pay. (See Equality and First Aid policies.)