Upton House is commiteed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, along with their protection and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

1. Aims

To ensure pupils are given the opportunity to :

develop leadership skills, self reliance, a sense of responsibility, initiative and resourcefulness
increase self-confidence, dignity and feelings of self-worth
learn to work purposefully in a team, with unselfishness and good friendship
develop the ability to integrate socially
gain the necessary insight, skills and knowledge to pursue outdoor education in adult life
meet challenges that are beyond their normal experiences
develop mentally, spiritually and physically, appreciating all that community life within the town and countryside can offer

To ensure the safety and well-being of pupils and accompanying staff.

To ensure risks are calculated and minimised through planning and communication.

2. Pupil Experiences

Whilst on any educational visit pupils should be encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunites available to them.

Staff should never force a pupil to undertake an activity where he/she feels unable to do so, but every support and encouragement should be offered and praise made for all efforts made.

Pupils should be given every opportunity to be responsible for their own learning and to exploit using initiative and leadership skills, creativity and teamwork.  They should always feel valued for their contributions and proud of their achievements, whatever they might be.

Pupils should be aware of any requirements for any follow-up work whilst on the trip in order to make any necessary notes or undertake any specific tasks.

Staff should ensure that pupils and accompanying adults feel secure in the arrangements that have been made and that communication channels are fully open to them.  Opportunities to discuss the activities undertaken should be seen as part of the planned trip.

Pupils not attending the trip must be set appropriate work and supervision.

3. Children's Activities

Termly schedules of work will indicate details of activities.  As well as day visits there may be adventure activities which cannot be carried out within school.  There may also be a residential element.

4. Cross Curricular Issues

Educational visits lend themselves to cross curricular work and should be linked to a specific area.

5. Assessment

Teacher assessment will mainly be through observation.

6. Staffing

The party leader is responsible for the visit including pupils' behaviour.  This person is acting on behalf of the Headmistress.

The party leader plans the visit, providing risk assessments, first aid provision, supervision including ratios and liaising with the Bursar for CRB checks on volunteers, insurance and transport.  All the adults on the visit should be made aware of emergency procedures, including carrying contact details and permission for emergency medical treatment if parents cannot be contacted.

The party leader is responsible for preparing the pupils and to make all adults aware of any learning difficulties or medical needs.

Types of Visit

Visits in the Pre-Prep are during the main school day.  Residential trips are organised for the Prep girls, starting with one night away for Form 3, buillding up to a week for Forms 5 and 6, alternating between an activity week in the UK and a cultural visit abroad.  The party leader informs the parents of events through daily Parentmails wherever possible.

In the Pre-Prep Department class teachers organise termly visits for each year group linked to a curriculum area.  In the Prep Department any member of staff may organise a visit linked to any curriculum area.  The short residential trips for Forms 3 and 4 are organised by the Outdoor Education Co-ordinator.

The residential trips for Forms 5 and 6 are organised by the Modern Foreign Language Co-ordinator and the Director of Studies.

A School Council made up of appointed and elected pupils meet regularly and discuss whole school issues.