§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what safety advice is given to schools in relation to field trips; and if he will make a statement; [157786]
(2) how many serious accidents have been reported to the Health and Safety Executive over the last five years which have taken place on (a) school trips and (b) school premises; [157787]
(3) what impact he anticipates that the guidance relating to school field trips recently issued by the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers in relation to the participation of teachers in school field trips will have upon participation by teachers in those elements of the 14 to 19 curriculum which are required to be supported by fieldwork; and if he will make a statement. [157973]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisMy Department has issued Health and Safety guidance to LEAs and schools about the whole range of educational visits including field studies. My Department supports all visits that have clear educational objectives and are carefully risk assessed and managed. Guidelines recently re-issued by NASUWT advise members to consider whether to take part in visits, and advise those who do to heed guidance from their employer and from my Department. A few teachers have been subject to legal action but I am pleased that most teachers continue to take pupils on visits. I expect field visits and other outdoor activities to thrive as teachers become more competent in supervision following visits coordinator training pump-primed by my Department in 2003. The Health and Safety Executive in 2001–02 received reports of 6,363 accidents affecting employees and others in primary and secondary education (including one fatality) and in 2002–03 5,812 (including three fatalities). Earlier or more detailed figures are not available.