Document Analysis of a School Excursions Policy
A school’s excursion program enables students to further their learning and social skills development in a non-school setting. Excursions complement, and are an important aspect of the educational programs offered at our school.
This report is a document analysis of the excursions policy (http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/referenceguide/enviro/4_4.htm) constructed as a clause of the student safety and risk management guide, section 4 under the schools reference guide by the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development [DEECD], 2009).
Hypothetical Scenarios
Scenario one, students of secondary aged schooling may complete excursions without direct teacher supervision off school grounds though still within school hours.
Scenario two, describes the use of a teachers’ private vehicle to transport students to and from school for an art gallery excursion.
Scenario three is a primary year level overnight excursion including adventure based activities.
Policy Overview The policies aims to protect and uphold a teachers’ legal duty of care “in fulfilling their duty of care towards a student, had to control not only their own conduct, but also the conduct of the student and others as well” (Crouch, 1996).
As a teacher 's duty of care towards students exists wherever there is a teacher-pupil relationship. This is true not only during normal school routine, but also during camps and on excursions. If a foreseeable injury occurs as a result of a breach of this duty of care, a teacher may be sued for negligence. The possibility of litigation following an incident or injury and the response the principle and all those involved in the school excursion should take “they must be prepared for a detailed examination of all their actions” (DEECD, 2004, 4.4.2.1). Constructed to assist schools boards and principles with managing the risks that excursions pose and protecting those
This report is a document analysis of the excursions policy (http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/referenceguide/enviro/4_4.htm) constructed as a clause of the student safety and risk management guide, section 4 under the schools reference guide by the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development [DEECD], 2009).
Hypothetical Scenarios
Scenario one, students of secondary aged schooling may complete excursions without direct teacher supervision off school grounds though still within school hours.
Scenario two, describes the use of a teachers’ private vehicle to transport students to and from school for an art gallery excursion.
Scenario three is a primary year level overnight excursion including adventure based activities.
Policy Overview The policies aims to protect and uphold a teachers’ legal duty of care “in fulfilling their duty of care towards a student, had to control not only their own conduct, but also the conduct of the student and others as well” (Crouch, 1996).
As a teacher 's duty of care towards students exists wherever there is a teacher-pupil relationship. This is true not only during normal school routine, but also during camps and on excursions. If a foreseeable injury occurs as a result of a breach of this duty of care, a teacher may be sued for negligence. The possibility of litigation following an incident or injury and the response the principle and all those involved in the school excursion should take “they must be prepared for a detailed examination of all their actions” (DEECD, 2004, 4.4.2.1). Constructed to assist schools boards and principles with managing the risks that excursions pose and protecting those