Outdoor Education - Schools
As of 1st September 2010, 'EVOLVE' - the online visit approval system is operational for all schools in Sheffield. In order to access EVOLVE, the EVC should attend a training session - please see dates below. At the training event, the logon details will be provided, along with a brief input on getting started with the new system.
The Sheffield EVOLVE website is sheffieldvisits.org.uk (note there is no 'www' at the start of this address).
Next training dates:
| Date | Location | Time |
| 27 September | Bannerdale | 1.00 - 2.30pm |
| As above | Bannerdale | 2.30 - 4.00pm |
| 12 October | Sheffield United PFS Centre | 9.30 - 11.30am |
| 15 October | Sheffield United PFS Centre | 9.30 - 11.30am |
| 19 October | Sheffield United PFS Centre | 9.30 - 11.30am |
Please contact Thornbridge Outdoors on 01629 640491 if you require any further assistance.
This area contains advice for staff from Sheffield Schools planning educational visits – whether it is to Thornbridge Outdoors, or any other off-site educational visit. It is intended that the content of this site will develop to include a forum for exchange of ideas and information, as well as providing the most up to date advice for Sheffield Schools.
If you have any comments to make on the materials and information provided please email: edvisits@thornbridgeoutdoors.co.uk
Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC)
Each school has had the opportunity to have an EVC trained. This person has a key role in school supporting staff who are planning visits and helping to ensure that correct procedures are followed.
To find out when the next EVC training course is click here
Developing a School Policy for Learning Outside the Classroom
EVC Newsletter
News and Information for Educational Visits Co-ordinators.
- EVC News - Spring 2005
- EVC News - Autumn 2005
- EVC News - Summer 2006
- EVC News - Spring 2007
- EVC News - Spring 2008
Guidance
The most recent edition of the LA's guidelines for educational visits was sent to all schools, along with an explanatory letter, in January 2005. They are contained on a CD, with a range of supporting documents.
Two documents from the CD are now available on this site. The full Educational Visits Guidelines document and a Summary document which provides an outline of the main processes involved in organising and conducting a visit. Both of these documents are provided here in PDF format, note that the hyperlinks within the documents are inactive in this version. A full version of both documents, with active hyperlinks, is available on the CD.
To view this document you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download from here.
If you have a booking at Thornbridge Outdoors you can download a PDF version of the joint visit approval and booking form here or a word version here.
Educational Visit Forms
- Visit Planning Checklist
- Visit Approval Form
- Provider Form
- Event-Specific Risk Assessment
- Parental Consent
- Critical Incident Response
- Volunteer Driver Form
Generic Risk Assessments
April 2008 Generic Risk Assessment Updated
A CD containing all of the Generic risk assessments was sent to each school in November 2003. This material is continuously being added to and updated, and the most recent version is available for downloading here. You may download the entire document or just the single risk assessment relating to an individual activity.
Additional Sources of Advice
The DfES has supported the production of several useful documents – all of which can be downloaded from www.teachernet.gov.uk/visits
These include two documents containing practical advice for group leaders:
1. “Group Safety at Water Margins”
2. “A handbook for Group Leaders”
In addition there are two other documents which may be of use;
1. “Standards for LAs in Overseeing Educational Visits”
2. “Standards for Adventure”
Educational Visits Review
Thornbridge Outdoors News
Abbeydale Grange Clean Up Millersdale
Following their clean up of the caves in Stoney Middleton in January this year, a group of committed Abbeydale Grange pupils return for more .........
Food Glorious Food!
Visit Leader Suzanne Smith explains how the Y6 children from Fox Hill Primary School, Sheffield, were involved in the planning, preparation and cooking of their meals whilst on residential at Thornbridge Outdoors.
National Bike Week 19th - 27th June 2010
Whilst staying at Thornbridge Outdoors, Year 6 pupils from Shortbrook Primary School, Sheffield, entered into the spirit of bike week.
Thornbridge Competition
Thornbridge has a new underground activity and we need your help to give it a name.
Can you think of a suitable name for this new unique tunnel system? If so, enter our competition and win a prize!