Warrington School/EOTC

Education Outside The Classroom Policy

Purpose

To use the outdoors to enrich all aspects of the curriculum and provide further opportunities for learning, personal growth and social development

Objectives

EOTC programmes in this school will be designed to:

1. Enhance learning through a variety of well-designed, first hand experiences.

2. Help learners develop self-confidence and a sense of adventure.

3. Assist learners in their social development by placing them with others in unfamiliar situations.

4. Help learners develop an attitude of responsibility, particularly towards their own safety and that of others.

5. Increase learners’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the school area, local district and other places, including some unfamiliar places.

Guidelines

EOTC programmes take into account:

1.The environment and the suitability of available facilities and activities.

2.The needs, capabilities and experiences, of the children.

3.Skills and experience of staff, parents and EOTC resource personnel and financial considerations.

4.Safety of children and equipment.

5.Relevance to the curriculum.

6.Outdoor activities are appropriate to both boys and girls.

Possible sequential learning

Years 1-4: Exploring the local community within walking distance from the school or accessible by car, bus or train ride.

Years 5-6: In addition to the above, exploring rural or city environments and possibly involving staying overnight.

Years 7-8: In addition to the above, exploring bush and water environments within a few hours walk from a road end or accessible by vehicle.

Staff are responsible for giving full attention to planning and ensuring supervision, and the safety and well-being of children.

Activities will be adequately supervised by staff, parents and EOTC resource personnel on the ratios listed:

1. 1 adult for 4 children on or near water or other high-risk activity.

2. 1 adult for 6 children in bush.

3. 1 adult for 8 children for all other activities.

Written parental consent for all EOTC activities is obtained with a generic permission slip allowing for local EOTC activities within the Warrington area.

The principal’s approval is required for all programmes outside of the school grounds.

Camps

Prior approval from the board is required.

All pupils have the opportunity and are encouraged to attend school camps.

Written parental consent is a pre-requisite to attendance.

Parents are invited to volunteer their services as camp staff.

Staff are experienced and qualified to conduct a class camp.

The planning of camps, including risk management analysis, meets the principal’s expectations.

Health and Safety Policy

This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Warrington School Health and Safety Policy and the Warrington School Safety Management Plan

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed according to the Board’s triennial self review timetable.

Both the current version of the policy and any proposed revisions to this policy will be made available to staff, parents or other interested parties, for comment and review.

The board will make its review report available to parents and staff.

Trip Procedures

The principal’s approval is required for all programmes outside of the school grounds.

Local Warrington trip with no signifiacnt risk factor - such as walking to the beach or the hall for athletics. Requires no parent permission forms or Rams form. Need the appropriate number of adult to pupil ratio, this will vary for each group of pupils. The method for movement would be walking along the footpath and crossing at a highly visible spot away from corners. Head counts before, during and after the trip. All children to wear the appropriate clothing – sunhats, coats, shoes to suit conditions etc Mobile phone and first aid kit to be taken. Prior notice of the intended trip using the Ram Cover Page given to the principal for approval and a copy remains at school for reference.

Local Warrington trip with risk factors – such as walking to the beach and then swimming. Requires parent permission forms – secretary to organise. Needs the appropriate number of adult to pupil ratio, this will vary for each group of pupils. Prior notice of the intended trip using the Ram Cover Page and a Ram Master given to the principal for approval and a copy remains at school for reference.

Trips beyond Warrington – such as going to the Dunedin City art gallery or visiting another school. Requires a Ram Cover Page and a Ram Master form filled and approved by the principal Requires parent permission forms – school secreatary will organise. Needs the appropriate number of adult to pupil ratio, this will vary for each group of pupils. If using volunteer drivers the Transport Trip form will need to filled out by volunteers. Prior notice of the intended trip using the Ram cover page and a Ram form given to the principal for approval and a copy remains at school for reference.

Camp Procedures

Prior approval from the board is required using the EOTC event approvalForm 1‎ and the Board will approve or ask for further information on approval Form 2.

A letter to parents using the format from Warrington Information to parents form.

Written parental consent is a pre-requisite to attendance using the Warrington Camp Medical Form and Warrington Parent Consent and Disclosure Form .

All volunteers will need to fill out Warrington Staff and Volunteers form

All drivers or will need to fill out Transport Trip Form

The planning of camps, including risk management analysis must meet the Principal's expectations.

All forms will be taken on camp and copies will remain at school.

Pleas note - if a teacher deviates from school policy or procedures, they could be held responsible should anything go wrong.

Medical and Food‎ Information RAM Camp Rabbit Island Camp Information Waianakarua Camp Information