By Andrew Argo, education reporter

SCOTLAND’S head teachers have warned that schools may stop taking their pupils on trips because of new safety guidelines from the Executive.

The Headteachers’ Association of Scotland fears that teachers may be reluctant to read through the long list of recommendations, and may lose their enthusiasm for taking pupils on excursions.

The guidelines, together with the more litigious nature of society, have already prompted the teachers at one school in Aberdeen to stop all pupil trips.

They don’t want to run the risk of having to cope with the type of incidents and the repercussions, which have affected colleagues elsewhere.

The deaths of pupils on coach crashes, while boating and while swimming in open water have been extreme examples of the tragedies that have occurred, but there have also been many lesser incidents which have all made teachers more cautious.

Bill McGregor, general secretary of HAS, said many teachers had run trips for years because they wanted their pupils to benefit from the experience.

“The new guidelines open with the right message, but on the other hand it is a daunting document for something that is a voluntary activity.

“With 20-odd bullet points, who’s got the time to go through this? There’s a danger that teachers will lose the notion of running school trips.”

Mr McGregor said some of the guidelines would benefit from clarification. He specified the desire to provide 24-hour supervision of pupils, and asked if it meant a teacher had to be detailed to sit outside pupils’ bedrooms all night?

The new guidelines were announced by the Executive on December 30, and cover responsibilities and planning for visits, supervision, communicating with parents, preparing pupils, transport, insurance, types of visits, visits abroad and emergency procedures.

Education Minister Peter Peacock said outdoor education can enrich pupils’ school life and help them to develop skills and interests that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

“I’m very conscious of worries about pupil health and safety, and that this may be discouraging teachers from organising school trips,” he said. “That’s why this new guidance is so important, giving teachers and others who work with young people the confidence to take them out of the classroom environment while reassuring parents that their children are safe and secure.”

A Dundee City Council spokesman said, “We have issued guidance on school trips since the local authority came into being. Those who are organising trips are required to carry out risk assessments of activities.

“All trips require to be authorised by the head teacher and all trips outwith the city require clearance from an education services manager.”

The guidance would be reviewed to take account of the Executive’s document.