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Off-site Activities
All off-site activities serve an educational purpose which is clearly related to
the curriculum. We follow Suffolk Council Education Department Regulations,
Advice & Procedures for Off-Site Activities.
All classes make visits during the year as an essential part of their work. We
use local facilities as much as possible, such as Orford, The Crown and Castle,
Orford Castle, our local church, the fire station and Sutton Hoo to name a few.
Sometimes we go further a field; to Ipswich, Bury, Southwold, London. We also
include visitors, such as theatre groups, in some topics. They are very
important in helping the children understand and visualise their current work.
We aim to offer the older children a residential visit annually. Currently we
are using High house farm for an overnight camp and Sizewell Hall for the older
children. This gives children an opportunity to gain
confidence about ‘being away from home’, and to experience some new activities.
Permission Slips
Often educational visits are arranged for different year groups, and we always
endeavour to give as much notice as possible for these events. We have to have
permission in writing. Unfortunately if we do not have
your written consent, then your child will not be able to go.
Insurance
All children are covered by Suffolk County Councils insurance
scheme. There will be a small charge annually.
Risk Assessments
Prior to each trip the teacher will carry out a risk assessment of the
journey to and from the venue and of the
activities/events involved.
Charging
The advice of the Education Department is that voluntary contributions are the
most effective, reasonable and easiest way of funding most off-site activities.
For all visits parents are asked for a voluntary contribution. We give an amount
as guidance, based on the actual cost of the visit per child.
The Governors ‘reserve the right to determine whether the level of contribution
is sufficient to enable the activity to take place’ and therefore urge all
parents to contribute in order that these important visits can continue. The
school can arrange for parents to pay a small amount weekly to spread the cost.
All parents pay for the visits and visitors and the word ‘voluntary’
contribution comes from the regulations governing visits. The school budget will
not cover these costs, although a substantial contribution is
made from money raised by the school, as we feel that they enrich the
curriculum.
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