* Raising Achievement Through the Environment: the case for fieldwork and field centres, by Dr Stuart Nundy. Published by the National Association of Field Studies Officers (NAFSO), Stibbington Centre, Great North Road, Stibbington, Peterborough PE8 6LP. pound;6, plus pound;1 to cover postage. Tel: 01780 782386 (www.nafso.org.uk).
* Just for teachers (www.justfor teachers. co.uk) has some advice on the management of trips by heads and senior teachers.
* Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (www.rospa.co.uk). All aspects of safety, including trips. Also minibus driver training. RoSPA, Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham B5 7ST. Tel: 0121 248 2051.
* The DfES is currently updating its advice on school visits, but comprehensive and helpful “work in progress” documents are available on the Teachernet website www.teachernet.gov.ukvisits. One document “Health and Safety: Responsibilities and Powers” has now been sent to all schools and LEAs in England. Drafts in progress are “Standards for LEAs”, “Standards for Adventure” and the “DfES handbook”. All are available online. Also see existing documents, including A Safer Journey to School; Guidance on First Aid for Schools; and Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits - a good practice guide,at www.dfes.gov.ukpublicationsguidance on the lawdfeepub under the heading “Health, safety and welfare of pupils”.
* Community Transport Association (www.communitytransport.com). Advice and numerous publications on operating minibuses. Highbank, Halton Street, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 2NY.Tel: 0161 367 8780.
* Belt Up School Kids (BUSK). Pressure group for safe bus, minibus and coach travel. A mine of information and advice. 18 Windsor Road, Newport, Gwent NP19 8NS. Tel: 01633 274944.
* The Child Accident Prevention Trust (www.capt.org.uk). 18-20 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3HA. Tel: 020 7608 3828.
* Royal Life Saving Society (www.lifesavers.org.uk). Water safety, and details of lifesaving courses.
* Teaching unions provide useful advice for members. An excellent example is the ATL booklet Taking Students Off-site, from the publications despatch section at ATL headquarters. Tel: 020 7782 1584. The publication is also available at www.askatl.org.uk
* The website of the NUT (www.data.teachers.org.uk) offers practical information and details of the legal requirements and responsibilities of teachers. The school journeys document is available in Word or PDF format. Go to the home page, click on health and safety and go to section two.
* The British Activity Holiday Association has a code of practice which members must adhere to for membership and carries out independent inspections. See website (www.baha.org.uk). Tel: 01932 252994, or write to BAHA, 22 Green Lane, Hersham, Walton on Thames KT12 5HP
* The Health and Safety Executive (www.hse.gov.uk) produces a free leaflet “Five Steps to Risk gssessment”. Go to the home page, click on free leaflets, then click on R in the alphabetical listings. A PDF can be downloaded.
