Staffing ratios for trips and visits

Last reviewed on 24 September 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 5865

Understand how to decide staffing ratios for school trips based on a risk assessment. Find out what you need to consider, including extra needs you must meet for pupils in the EYFS.

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Contents

  1. Determine ratios based on your risk assessment
  2. Check if your local authority (LA) has requirements
  3. Statutory requirements for EYFS pupils

Determine ratios based on your risk assessment

Staff ratios for school trips aren't prescribed in law.

Instead, you need to carry out an appropriate risk assessment for an educational trip or visit, and determine your staffing needs based on that. 

Decide the number of adults you need depending on:

  • The nature of the outing and the activities
  • The age and maturity of your pupils

This includes trips abroad. See the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) FAQs on school trips.

The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP) outlines factors to consider and a framework to assess the staffing requirements of your trip – you can use this to help guide you if you're unsure.

There are separate rules for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), as outlined in section 3 of this article.

If the LA is the employer in your school, you must comply with its directions on health and safety. Some LAs set their own staffing ratios,

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