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News release

15 September 2010 - NR 36/10

Give teachers support to make school an adventure

Teachers who are worried about the risks of organising school trips and adventure activities for pupils should get better training and more support, a leading health and safety organisation said today.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) call came after Education Secretary Michael Gove said that a ‘bubble-wrapped’ culture in the UK has seen teachers become too risk averse.

Richard Jones, Policy and Technical Director at IOSH, said: “It’s a shame if Michael Gove is right because learning should be exciting and fun. Adventurous activities are a great way for young people to develop and learn in a fun way, helping them to become rounded individuals who can solve problems and meet new challenges.

“Of course, such trips and activities need to be planned and managed properly, and there’s lots of free help and authoritative guidance available on doing exactly this.

“But IOSH strongly supports the benefits of learning outside the classroom and thinks that the solution to easing any teacher concerns about things going wrong is to give them better training, support and resources, so that they feel fully equipped to lead these types of activities.

“If we deprive our kids of these kinds of experiences growing up, we could have a next generation of workers who are not risk savvy.”

In the next few weeks, the Government is expected to reveal its findings from a review into health and safety practice in this country. IOSH has broadly welcomed the review in the hope that it will tackle the root causes of today’s risk aversion, and the public confusion about what health and safety law actually is.

Mr Jones said: “We want all children to live life to the full, which will involve them taking some risks. The application of common sense and some sensible health and safety measures will ensure that they can stay safe and have fun.”

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Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.