Wales – Cymru updated 8 May 2008
GEM Cymru in North Wales
11 December, 2007
Meeting the Health and Safety Needs
of our School Visitors
How can we work with teachers to minimise risks for school children?
Wrexham County Borough Museum
10.00 am – 15.30 (including lunch )
Context
Teachers are increasingly requesting help with risk assessments and some local authorities and teachers’ unions have been advising against school trips. Museum professions are uncertain about how best to support teachers.
Minimising risk and providing a safe and secure environment for both visitors and staff is of utmost importance to museums and galleries. This seminar considers how we can work with teachers to minimise the risks for school visits and considers the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto being promoted in England. It includes speakers from government, a school team and a venue.
Seminar Content
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This is an opportunity to find out about:
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How to protect the health and safety of school students
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How museum professionals can best support teachers -what teachers need and why
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Responsibilities of museums and schools respectively
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How to review your site with health and safety issues in mind
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he legal context surrounding risk assessments
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How to provide the right kind of ‘safety information’ - to enable schools to conduct their own meaningful risk assessments
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Current National Guidance and Practice and forthcoming changes
Speakers include:
Steve Futcher – Health & Safety Officer, Wrexham Council
Heather Petrie – The Forest School Team
Lynn Podmore – Learning & Access Officer, Wrexham Heritage Services
Owen Hayward – Head of Outdoor Education Service, Conwy County Borough Council and key author in new Welsh Assembly Government guidance on safety for educational visits.
This session is being organised for museums and galleries but will have wider interest for the visitor attractions and the heritage sector. It is particularly relevant for organisations based in Wales.
The focus is on health and safety, but does not address child protection issues.
GEM Cymru: Affiliated to the Group for Education Museums