Health and safety

Safety of your students and staff is our number one priority

To uphold our commitment to safety:

  • all instructors have a first aid qualification
  • all staff have an enhanced DBS certificate and we regularly check the records
  • our equipment undergoes regular and rigorous safety checks and maintenance
  • all minibus drivers are trained and assessed through the MIDAS scheme.
  • all staff complete a full induction programme to maintain high and consistent standards
  • many of our staff hold high level National Governing Body qualifications

Instructor to student ratio

Water activities operate in group sizes of one instructor to up to twelve students at most. Water activities include sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, raft building, and open canoeing.

Land based activities operate in group sizes of one instructor to ten students at most. Land activities include track cycling, skiing, snowboarding, mountain walking, climbing, and target sports.

We generally expect a teacher to join the session and to support the instructor with students who have specific needs.

Course directors manage your programme to take account of the weather. If we have to cancel an activity due to adverse weather, we will provide an alternative. All our centres have a selection of "all weather" activities.

We all enjoyed the activities which were very well and safely organised.
 Alverstoke Junior School

Risk assessments

In line with National Guidance from the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel FAQ-Asking-for-a-providers-risk-assessments we can confirm that Hampshire Outdoor Centres have carried out a comprehensive risk assessment process which inform our Safe Operating Procedures, which have been externally verified by either the ALLA or LOtC inspection process. If your school uses the Hampshire County Council EVOLVE system for inspections and trip approvals, you can be sure that the necessary risk assessments and operational procedures are in place. Your EVC can provide more information on this.

Schools and group leaders are responsible for risk assessments for:

  • the journey to and from the centre
  • students with specific needs
  • arrangements for contacting your school in an out-of-hours emergency

Pastoral supervision and behaviour

Group leaders are responsible for the pastoral supervision of students at all times. During activities, our instructors provide full safety supervision. They will manage the group with your guidance and support.

All centres have a resident or on-call duty manager who will help with any overnight emergency situation.

Canoeing

Centre accreditations

Our centres are proud to hold a variety of accreditation for success and quality. Accreditation are shown at the bottom of the home pages for each centre.

Insurance

Hampshire County Council provides insurance arrangements for its local education authority schools. Most other education authorities and independent schools have similar arrangements. We otherwise recommend that you take out insurance to cover risk of accident, illness, loss of personal possessions and cancellation.

Hampshire County Council only accepts liability for loss, damage or injury resulting from negligence by the County Council, its servants or agents.