Teachers face their own challenges when they take pupils on an educational activity break. “Living with a group of children round the clock for a few days is a learning curve,” says Lorna Sabbagh, headteacher of Glendelvine Primary, Perth and Kinross.
Scripture Union Scotland, which runs its own activity centres at Lendrick Muir, near Kinross,and Altnacriche, near Aviemore, has produced a short survival guide for school staff:
* When choosing a centre, ask how big the dorms are, as smaller rooms are easier to manage;
* Find out what happens in the evening - some centres offer a full programme until supper time, leaving teachers time to recover;
* Make sure the pre-supper activities are relaxing. If you have the opportunity, take the children outdoors - returning to a snug environment for bedtime;
* In the event of indiscipline, taking a child out of their bedroom is a last resort. Warn them they will have to get dressed and sit with teachers (how uncool is that?)I Scripture Union Scotland will have a stand at the Scot-tish Outdoor Learning Festival on Monday.
* www.suscotland.org.uk