Protection when travelling abroad The team at STF has also worked with ABTA and AXA Insurance to put together a bespoke travel insurance product specifically for pupils travelling with a school or youth group. STF Travel Sure, which is available to schools and youth groups booking with a STF member, includes Covid-19 cancellation cover should anyone in your group test positive for the virus or be required to self-isolate, and access to a travel companion app for medical assistance when out of the country. Add link to ABTA/STF/AXA web page. Many schools can also access a governmentbacked alternative to commercial insurance, the Risk Protection Arrangement, which aims to protect schools against losses due to some unforeseen and unexpected events. You should talk to your senior leadership team and/or business manager about the most appropriate cover for your group – private travel insurance, such as STF Travel Sure, or RPA.
Over the past year, the STF has been working with its members to ensure future trips are delivered to the highest of standards and that every stage of the journey has been newly risk assessed in light of the Covid-19 pandemic What to think about when planning your educational visit Once you have decided on the destination for your school or group trip, there are a number of factors to consider. For example, you should read the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office travel advice for the country you are planning to visit. Here you will find a wealth of information including entry requirements, health advice and other mandatory requirements. They also generally link through to the destination authority’s website where the further information can be found. You should also read the TravelHealthPro fact sheet for travelling with children, which can be found here as well as the ABTA website.
School Trips
Over the past year, STF has also been working with its members to ensure future trips are delivered to the highest of standards and that every stage of the journey has been newly risk assessed in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
What you need to check As you approach your travel date, it is important to be aware of the latest travel guidance and regulations both in the UK and in your destination country. Here is an overview of some of the information that you need to check, more details can be found on the websites mentioned above. Are children permitted to enter the country when travelling with a fully vaccinated adult or are they only permitted to enter the country with a fully vaccinated parent? Are children required to take PCR or lateral flow before travel or are they exempt from pre-departure tests? Are children required to take PCR or lateral flow on arrival in the destination or are they exempt from tests? What COVID tests do you need to book – based on the ages of children within your party? Do you and other group leaders need to provide proof of being fully vaccinated? Do children over the age of 12 need to provide proof of part-vaccinated status? Make a risk assessment for a situation where a pupil/teacher tests positive in resort. Understand what your insurance policy will and will not cover you for. Once you have booked your travel arrangements, keep up to date and read all the literature provided to you by your travel provider. Remember to check the current rules for returning to the UK for children – based on the ages of the children within your party. When returning to the UK, each national has their own advice: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Where to get further support? For the latest information and guidelines when organising educational visit or overseas trip, schools can contact their local Outdoor Education Adviser. The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel regularly revises its guidance relating to overnight visits within the UK and your local Outdoor Education Adviser is on hand to provide practical information and advice. You can find details of your local OEA at www.oeap.info FCDO has advice on travelling with children and the Department for Education regularly updates its website with advice and guidelines regarding Covid-19. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.schooltravelforum.com
Issue 27.1 | EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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