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Outward Bound?Outdoor activities form animportant part of the educationexperience at most independentschools, but the benefits topupils do not come without risk.Jon Taylor, head of education atMarsh, looks at the steps thatschools can take to ensure anenriching, and safe, time can behad by all involved.Ask any child what they mostlook forward to during the schoolyear and activities away fromthe normal academic routine willfeature high on the list. There isno doubt, of course, that outdooractivities – from orienteeringto sailing – can be extremelybeneficial, but as with any activitythat represents a break from thenorm, they must be carefullyplanned to ensure that pupilsafety is as highly prioritised as itis in the classroom.To that end, identifying risksand putting measures in placeto minimise them has to be animportant element of the widerplanning process. This begins witha thorough risk assessment.In essence, a risk assessment, andsubsequent development of riskmanagement processes, shouldbreak down across five broadareas.Location, Location, LocationIt is vital to investigate the areawhere outdoor activities willtake place, looking in particularat potential safety hazards, aswell as the availability of safetyequipment and skilled support.Identifying risks should span boththe mundane (such as unevensurfaces and stairs) and themore specific issues related toproposed activities – particularlyif the location is not already wellknown to members of staff andvolunteers accompanying the trip.On the RoadIt is also important to carefullyconsider travel arrangements andput in place those that are mostappropriate to the size of thegroup and length of the journey.For small groups travelling ashort distance, the use of privatecars may be the best optionproviding of course that driversare properly qualified and insured.For longer journeys and largergroups, however, it is likely thatminibuses and coaches will benecessary. In these cases, it is vitalto check that vehicles are properlyequipped with safety features,well maintained, and drivenby experienced, qualified, andinsured drivers.Safety in NumbersAs a general rule, outdoor tripsaway from the school, particularlythose involving long journeysand unfamiliar locations, requirehigher staff to pupil ratios. It isalso important to consider thenature of the activity, and howstaff would cope in an emergency.For instance, if the worst shouldhappen, will there be enough staffto both deal with the emergencyand to look after the rest of thegroup?Medication and First AidThere are two main areas toconsider here. First, the lengthand nature of the trip mustOn 17 November 2014, Marsh is delighted to be attending the 3rd NationalConference for Leaders of Outdoor Education at Malvern College. The day iscentred on the learnings from a “mock trial”, where a legal action is raisedfollowing an outdoor trip that goes badly wrong. It will be suitable for staffwith responsibility for adventurous activities, educational visit coordinators, andbursars and deputies, especially those who act as health and safety officers fortheir schools. For further information and to book a place at the conference,please visit www.independentoutdoor.org.uk.Marsh Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.Copyright © 2014 Marsh Ltd All rights reservedPromoting excellence in businessPlymouth College, Devon, has won two moreendorsements with a Young Enterprise Centreof Excellence accolade and the launch of theEntrepreneurial Society.The Young Enterprise award is given toorganisations that make a high-quality enterpriseand entrepreneurship contribution to studentsthrough courses and initiatives. PlymouthCollege has a reputation for success in businesscompetitions having won 15 national titles,including the UK Young Enterprise title in 2009.On the back of this award, Plymouth College islaunching an Entrepreneurial Society, a new venturebe taken into account whendeciding the level of first aidsupport required in terms of bothexpertise and equipment. Second,the specific health needs of pupilson the trip – from allergies toepilepsy – must be ascertainedand catered for with appropriatemedical supplies, to be retainedand given out when necessary bya responsible member of staff.If Things Go Wrong…No amount of planning cancompletely eliminate risk, so it isimportant to have clear plans inplace should something go wrong– from vehicle breakdown toaccident and illness. In particular,it is essential that membersof staff have access to mobilephones, and know precisely whoto contact and how in the eventof an incident.Further ReadingFurther useful informationabout the risk management ofoutdoor activities can be foundat Health and Safety Executivewebsite www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/links.htm as well thefollowing specialist organisations:• The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award– www.dofe.org• Royal Geographic Society –www.rgs.org• Outdoor Education Advisers’Panel – www.oeap.info• Independent Outdoor –www.independentoutdoor.org.ukthat will see a series of guest speakers help to bringbusiness and economics alive for students. Otherinitiatives for Plymouth College students under theEntrepreneurial Society banner will include a Year 10Enterprise Challenge in conjunction with Burts Chips anda Sixth Form project with Wrigley’s.“These are really exciting times for our businessstudents”, said Young Enterprise lead teacher JonathanShields (pictured with sixth formers Paul Vallis andAnnie Cobbold.) “Having the opportunity to engagewith successful business leaders and be involved in reallife projects will really put our students ahead of thegame – critical in an increasingly competitive educationalenvironment.”NOT ALL PERSONAL ACCIDENTCOVER IS THE SAMECan your pupils’ personal accident insurance scheme extend to includethe school’s teaching and support staff?To find out how we may improve your current personal accident insurance cover, please contact ustoday (quoting ISOCT14):( 01444 313174 * termly.schemes@marsh.com 8 uk.marsh.com/educationMarsh Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.Copyright © 2014 Marsh Ltd. All rights reserved.40 Finance