Governing Regulations & Risk

Overview:

All activities and training carried out by the Outdoor Pursuits department are overseen by National Governing Body qualified instructors, adhering to and in many cases exceeding the safety standards stipulated. We are an independent organisation that does not buy in ‘off the shelf’ products. We can do things better by designing activities tailored to meet the needs of our pupils at a reasonable cost and with a commitment to the highest standards of safety.

Inherent Risk:

Training and ventures that include adventurous activities involve exposure to accepted elements of risk, challenge and adventure greater than those normally encountered in everyday life. Whilst such activities provided by The Perse Outdoor Pursuits department are subject to exacting safety management processes, it cannot be guaranteed that all possibility of resultant injury to participants, or others, is eliminated.

Cutting Tools:

There has been a significant amount of press coverage on the risks surrounding the use of knives and the impact of knife crime in the UK. In Outdoor Pursuits, we firmly believe that there is a practical and educational role for knives and other cutting tools in outdoor activities.

Students will be allowed to use a variety of appropriate cutting tools in training and on expeditions/ventures. These include knives, axes, saws and gardening equipment. Appropriate training will be provided. There is a comprehensive cutting tools policy which can be found within this document.

Vetting & Barring:

All staff and volunteers used by The Perse School have undergone vetting and barring procedures (formerly Criminal Records Bureau Check) and are cleared to work with children. All UK third party providers are checked to ensure their staff have been subject to vetting and barring procedures. This is not possible for overseas providers, but the school carries out appropriate checks and requires references for all international providers.