This policy was drawn up by staff of Tynock NS. in consultation with and ratified by Board of Management and parents association. The purpose of the policy is to document current and future practice on school tours. The policy will be reviewed on a yearly basis.
Relationship to the ethos of the school :
Tynock.N.S. is a co-educational, primary school which strives to provide a safe, secure and happy place where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and addressed. Our school cherishes all pupils equally and strives to aid them in achieving their true potential.
Aims of Policy
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To benefit the intellectual, cultural and social development of our pupils
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To present the children with a new environment in which they can observe, investigate and relate their findings to their own environment.
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To provide school tours or trips taking into account the age and interest of the
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 children and the curriculum being covered.
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For the pupils to learn how to manage themselves appropriately in their group of classmates under a different set of circumstances than the School classroom.
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To afford all children the opportunity to go on school tour with their peers.
 Background as given by DES Regulations and Circulars:
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DES Circular 12/79
‘The objective of educational tours for schools should be that they be of benefit to the
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 intellectual, cultural and social development of the pupils taking part in them, and any activity, in connection with a tour, which is in conflict with this objective, is to be avoided’.
DES Circular 7/61
If less than one quarter of the pupils on the roll of the school participate in the tour, the school must be kept in operation on the date in question and the participation in the tour may be reckoned as attendance at school subject to the conditions specified in paragraph
4.
The following are the conditions which must be fulfilled before the participation of pupils in an educational tour may be reckoned as attendance at school:-
(a) that, as a rule, the pupils be present at the school in the morning and that their attendance be recorded in the Roll Book. If, for any reason, it is not possible for the pupils who participate in the tour to be present at school in the morning, a separate roll of their attendance should be taken and the roll should be carefully preserved among the school records;
(b) that the parents of the children are prepared to allow the children to take part in the tour;

 (c) that the pupils be accompanied by one or more teachers who will be responsible for them. Where the circumstances of the school permit, one teacher for, say, every twenty pupils should accompany them;
 (d) that any teacher attending the tour will have obtained the prior permission of the manager.
 It is understood clearly that the Department will not be responsible for any costs arising out of an educational tour or out of any accident which might occur during a tour. In his/her own interest, each manager should satisfy him/herself that s/he is adequately covered by insurance against liability in respect of injury to pupils and teachers while participating in educational tours.
School Tours involving Foreign Travel:
 In exceptional cases, and with prior permission, schools may be facilitated in taking
 pupils out of the country on educational tours. The following conditions should be borne in mind:
(1) The agreement of the Board of Management and the parents should be obtained. It written permission of parents/guardians of participating pupils should be obtained.
Parents of the pupils must travel with their child.
 (2) The pupils will be accompanied by teachers who will be responsible for the adequate supervision of pupils on behalf of the Board of Management
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(3) The parents of Tynock NS will be given notice at the beginning of the school year and an opportunity to save with through the Credit Union

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(4) The Board of Management shall confirm arrangements in advance for adequate insurance of pupils and teachers on the trip.
 (5) Arrangements must be made for the continuation of school for the pupils not participating in the tour.
Definition of a tour
A tour is defined as a day long trip (or longer) involving one or more class which requires normal classroom teaching to be suspended for the day. Tours should always be educational and be curriculum based.
Transport:
The transport organiser of the tour will ensure that:-
(a) Tenders are sought for all tours
(b) A form of transport, appropriate to the distance and the numbers travelling will be chosen.
(c) The bus Company/suppliers and drivers accept the following conditions.
Conditions of Hiring:
All transport supplied will be suitable and well-maintained with a working safety belt for each child. Teachers have the right to refuse any bus they find unsuitable for their outing.
If the bus proves unsuitable a replacement will be supplied or the money refunded. The driver will be used to dealing with children and have a thorough knowledge of and follow the itinerary and timetable for the tour. The driver is responsible for the safety of the children while they are travelling but teachers have the right to intervene if it is felt the the safety of the children is compromised. The group will have access to the bus for the full day. If the weather conditions are unfavourable the group will have the use of the bus for sheltering or for eating lunch. The incidental consumption of food (Snacking) and singing on the bus - at an acceptable level - will be at the discretion of the teacher in consultation with the driver. Buses will be left as they were found. The bus will be paid for on the day of the tour.
Definition of a field trip
A fieldtrip is a trip that takes a part of the day involving one or more classes which only requires normal classroom teaching to be suspended for part of the day. Fieldtrips should always be educational and curriculum based.
Transport
Parents who have been garda vetted and have applied to be volunteers in the school will be asked if they are available to provide transport on the day of field trips. They will be asked to ensure that they have safety belts for all children.
Tour Kit:
(a) Teachers will take a tour kit on all outings. The kit will be kept in the school office the kits will contain:-
First aid materials, refuse and illness bags, newspapers, kitchen roll, School mobile phone, maps of the locality, umbrella. Money to buy Parents coffee while on tour/fieldtrip

or a flask of hot water, tea bags, milk and biscuits.
The kit will be prepared by the teacher going on the tour the day before the trip. It is the responsibility of the teacher to organise the tour kit
Cost of Tour / Fieldtrip:
The teachers will ensure that the cost of the tour/fieldtrip is reasonable and represents value for money. All children will be actively encouraged to save towards the cost of the trip or tour. Funding will be made available through the Board of Management to ensure that all children who wish to travel are supported financially.
Spending money:
Teachers travelling together will agree and notify their group of the upper limit on spending money. This will be based on age and venue.
Venue:
Tours/fieldtrips will be booked early in the 1st or 2nd term. This date will be put on website and calendar. Junior infants-1 st
class will go on one tour and children from 2-6 th will go on another. The tours will be organised for the same day.
The tour will be organised for the second or third week of June. Teachers will consult the
Principal on the venue for the tour.
Weather Conditions:
Rain and head gear will be essential for all children and a change of clothes may be necessary, depending on the venue.
School Uniforms / School Tracksuit:
Teachers travelling together will decide whether uniforms / tracksuit should be worn depending on type of tour.
Policy of Inclusion:
It will be our policy to include all children in school tours. Decisions on any exclusions rests with the class teacher in consultation with the Principal.
Reports:
Where problems arise either with venue or transport teachers will report back to the transport/tour organiser who will in turn discuss it with the Principal
Behaviour on Tours:
Pupil's behaviour on tours will comply with the standard set down in the School's Code of
Good Behaviour and Discipline. Where it is felt that a child's conduct would pose a safety risk or inhibit the educational benefit for self or others, the teacher may, after consultation with the principal, refuse the child permission to travel. Parents will be advised of this in advance.
Safety and Supervision:
Teachers will be extra vigilant when taking children out of the school. Special attention will be paid to:- Road Safety, Behaviour on bus, Risks posed by particular venues (e.g. adventure playgrounds etc.) The minimum supervision ratio will be 15:1 (adult). Only parents who are vetted can be considered as additional supervisors on school trips. Every

effort will be made to ensure that there is a mix of male and female adults on the tour to manage toilet trips.
Plan for dealing with Emergencies: sick / injured children while on school trip:
1. Seek immediate medical attention, call an ambulance.
2. Contact the injured child's parents.
3. Phone the school contact the principal / deputy principal/ designated teacher.
4. Teacher should accompany the child in the ambulance to hospital.
Informing Parents:
Teachers will ensure that Parents are given sufficient notice of: (at least one week)
(a) Itinerary & Timetable
(b) Cost
(c) Special clothing necessary and packed lunch (no glassware)
(d) Permission Slip to be signed by parent / guardian and returned to class teacher.
Remember: No permission slip signed = No Tour!!!! permission slip entitles the teacher to administer emergency medical aid or contact emergency services if required,
Tours:
There will be one annual school tour in June
There will be one other tour during the year
Fieldtrip
There will be normally one field trip organised for each class group in each term.
Sample Tours:
(A)Infant tours
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Imaginosity
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Kia Ora Farm
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Secret Valley Farm
B) Senior Tours
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Dublin Zoo
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Dunmore Caves
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The Hook
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Waterford Glass
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Belfast Titanic Experience
(C) Whole School local and national trips
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Gaiety Theatre – Pantomime
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Glendalough
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Museums or OPW venues

(D) Fieldtrip
Garda Station, Firestation, waterworks, St Patrick s College, Ring of Rath, Vinegar Hill
Boulavogue Museum,
Success Criteria
This policy will be considered successful if:
the nature and number of tours per year is clear to the school community

Consultation
A draft of this policy, when approved by the Board of Management will be made available to parents via the school website and submissions may be made through the
Principal.
Ratification and Communication
This policy will be communicated to all teachers, parents and the Board of Management.
A PDF version will be made available for download on the school website
(www.tynockschool.ie) and a hard copy will be provided on request.
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management of Tynock National School on
February 5 th 2013
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually