Hope for residential trips to resume from Easter

Updated government advice has said that it will review its advice on overnight residential education visits in February 2021 with the possibility that they will resume from Easter 2021, if the scientific evidence supports this.

Currently non-overnight domestic educational visits can occur unless national or local restrictions prevent this.

From next week, UK Outdoors, as part of the newly formed School Travel Sector Stakeholder Group (STSSG), will be working with the Department for Education and building the roadmap for the restart of residentials in Easter 2021, including a full framework for the safe reintroduction of domestic residential visits; approval of sector COVID-safe protocols; and interim holiday cancellation insurance.

Andy Robinson, CEO of the Institute of Outdoor Learning, said: “The Government are clearly listening and having a target for restart is positive. I am hugely encouraged that we have put in place an open and collaborative process for getting the industry going. It is also great to see an acknowledgement of the value and expertise our sector brings to education provision in this country. Some centres are still at risk and we must look at the best way to support them, but for many I hope this news will provide clear light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel and give more certainty to our clients and beneficiaries.”