Bryan Slater Director of Education	Distribution
	All Schools

The attached document is provided for your information:

INFORMATION	Title	LEA Guidance for Educational Visits & Journeys
	Summary of contents	Update on LEA Guidance for Educational Visits & Journeys
	Associated documents	Policy Document on Educational Visits & Journeys
	Date	20^th April 2004
	Effective from	Immediate
	LEA Contact	Susan Falch-Lovesey	(	01553 766872
	E-mail address	susan.falch-lovesey@norfolk.gov.uk
	Norfolk Self Review reference	2. How effective is the school in developing pupils’ attitudes, values and personal development? 4. How good are curricular and other opportunities? 5. How well does the school care for its pupils?
	Document reference	MI 86-04

Re: Update on LEA Guidance for Educational Visits and Journeys

The guidance for educational visits is an important document for Norfolk LEA and as such it is imperative that we get this guidance and associated procedures right for all stakeholders. To achieve this aim, various groups and individuals have reviewed the draft version in order to ensure the legality, accuracy and manageability of the process and procedures. This consultation is now complete and final amendments to the document will take place during April. We are confident that the guidelines will be in schools during the summer term.

You should note that although there is no requirement at present to seek LEA approval, we would expect schools to comply with the guidance in the document. If you are uncertain about any aspect please contact us and we will be pleased to help. Schools should continue to utilise the draft format available on the Norfolk esinet site www.norfolkesinet.org.uk (under school management and governance, select educational visits and journeys), where we will also post updates. Support and advice will continue to be available in this interim period through Martin Radmore (P.E. Adviser) on 01603 433276 or Susan Falch-Lovesey (Head of Environmental Education Service) on 01553 766872. We will be intensifying support following the documents distribution in the summer term.

Schools will need to start to seek formal LEA approval (for visits specified as needing LEA approval*) from September 1^st 2004 for visits taking place after October half-term 2004.

It is envisaged that the new system will require a period of familiarisation and it is our sincere wish to support you through this period. The LEA strongly believes in the value of educational visits and outdoor learning and we seek to achieve an efficient, effective procedure that results in visits that are safe, enjoyable and educational.

We are also pleased to announce that we have now appointed an Education Visits Adviser and that the successful applicant will join us in September ready for the beginning of the approval system.

Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Yours sincerely

Bryan Slater

*Types of visit requiring approval by the LEA;

-any residential visit (chapter 8, 1.37, page 80)

-any visit abroad (chapter 9, page 83)

-hazardous and adventurous activities (see chapter 8 page 41 for definition lists)

-activities in ‘wild country’ (chapter 8 page 53 and page 81)

-activities on water in a National Park or where there is tidal influence (chapter 8 page 62 and page 82).

Other visits require approval by the Head Teacher and Governors