Educational Visits
CHELMER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
EDUCATIONAL VISITS
Criteria for selection for visits
Rationale
It is the intention of the school to ensure fair selection for places on educational visits and the purpose of this document is to communicate clearly the criteria that will be used when offering such places to students. We also seek to ensure the safety of all who participate in educational visits, including both staff and students. With these points in mind the following conditions will apply.
Conditions for Selection
1. Specific Skills
In some circumstances the visit may require that the students who are offered places demonstrate specific skills and aptitudes eg Engineering competitions, Gifted and Talented visits. In such cases selection will be based on the student’ s ability to demonstrate the necessary skills.
2. Interest/attitude/effort
Where the educational visit relates to a specific subject or related activity the student must have demonstrated a positive interest , attitude and level of effort within the related subject. Eg selection for the Ski Trip will be based on a positive interest, attitude and effort in PE
3. Behaviour
It is expected that the student will have a good behaviour record and that there will have been no significant behaviour issues or instances of non compliance. This is to ensure that there is no risk that the safety of the individual or party will be compromised whilst on the visit.
4. Individual/specific needs
Where necessary an appropriate individual risk assessment , produced by the school and agreed by the parents, may be required eg medical circumstances ( This is in line with County Educational Visits Guidance)
Where a student appears on the SEN register or vulnerable register any issues should be discussed with appropriate member staff.
Selection Process
• In most cases the number of places available matches the nature of the specific group or visit.
• In some cases , however, (particularly in visits where the objective is primarily enrichment) the numbers seeking a place exceeds the number of places available. Where appropriate and within Educational Visits Health and Safety Guidelines we will seek to accommodate all students. This is not always possible, however and the following process will be applied.
1. When an educational visit/trip is offered a deadline for application will be set. The deadline will be at least 7 days from the date of the letter and will not be before Midday on the final day.
2. When the deadline has been reached the first stage will be to consider whether each individual student meets the conditions for selection as already outlined in this document. Those not fulfilling the conditions will be informed and withdrawn from the selection process.
3. After this stage, should the number of students wishing to participate in the visits exceed the number of places available a random selection (ie names in a hat) will be conducted.
4. The students not receiving a place will be placed on a waiting list in the order of selection from the draw. The students will be informed of this.
5. Any students not receiving a place will be offered a priority place (subject to conditions for selection) should the trip or visit be offered again in the future. The students will be informed of this.
NB
If any of the conditions for selection are compromised in the period before the visit, it may be necessary to withdraw a student from the visit. Eg in the case of significant or persistent poor behaviour
Other Considerations:
Deposit:
• Deposits are non-refundable. The only exception to this will be on medical grounds which fall within the terms and conditions of the school’s insurance or in exceptional circumstances where the school has to cancel a visit.
Refund:
• If the student withdraws from the trip, any monies paid will not be refunded. The only exception to this will be on medical grounds which fall within the terms and conditions of the school’s insurance.
• If, in the opinion of the school, the circumstances regarding the student prior to the trip are a cause for concern, for example poor behaviour, and would have a detrimental effect on the trip, then the student will not be allowed to go and any monies paid may not be refunded due to the school’s obligations to the tour operator.
Exceptional circumstances
• In the event that a student leaves the school but has paid to take part in an educational visit abroad, (for example moves house) the student may still participate subject to the school’s discretion. Prior behaviour and attitude will be a consideration. Should this be the case both parent and student will need to give written agreement that the student will abide by school rules whilst on the visit.
• If, when in Year 11, a student applies for a place on a school trip, the assumption is that they will progress into the Sixth Form having first met the school’s Sixth Form entry requirements, and therefore still be part of the school when the trip takes place. Should the student not meet the entry requirements, and subsequently not be offered a place in the Sixth Form, their place will be withdrawn and offered to the next person on the waiting list. Should the place be filled a refund will be given, however, if the place cannot be filled, monies may not be refunded due to the school’s obligations to the tour operator.
