17th December 2020
I am writing to update you on the progress our sector has made in working with the Department for Education to restart residential school travel sector in Easter 2021.
As I am sure you have seen, the Department has committed to reviewing its guidance in February with a view to reopening in Easter. This process will be supported by the new School Travel Sector Stakeholder Group (STSSG) who are working with the Department prior to February to address the challenges the residential sector is facing and put in place the right guidance and protocols to ensure we can restart in Easter 2021.
This is an encouraging step. The STSSG and the Department for Education are making good progress on a number of areas to get the residential school travel sector restarted and ensure it is appropriately supported. The Group’s work to date includes:
▪ Engagement with the Department for Education and Public Health England on new protocols to show we are safe to operate
▪ Development of a bespoke school cancellation insurance scheme to allow schools to book with confidence
▪ Building positive engagement with schools on the value of residential school travel and the ability to plan for 2021
▪ Exploration of financial support for providers
▪ Outlining of measures required for the restart of international school travel
| ▪ | Engagement with the Department for Education and Public Health England on new protocols to show we are safe to operate |
| ▪ | Development of a bespoke school cancellation insurance scheme to allow schools to book with confidence |
| ▪ | Building positive engagement with schools on the value of residential school travel and the ability to plan for 2021 |
| ▪ | Exploration of financial support for providers |
| ▪ | Outlining of measures required for the restart of international school travel |
The Group is also looking at improving school confidence to book and raise awareness of the value of outdoor education. We are working closely with the Department for Education on issuing a strong positive message to schools early in the new year in respect of the importance of outdoor education and residential school travel, as well as planning for 2021 travel.
Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to both protect the sector and ensure a safe restart as soon as possible.
We will keep you updated on the progress of the work of the STSSG. In the meantime, if you have any questions do not hesitate to get in touch.
Your tireless campaigning and committed responses to our surveys are a source of great pride for the sector and continue to raise awareness of the sector’s challenges both politically and publicly. I would like to thank you for your support and commitment to date and hope that we can push forward towards the review in February and get our sector going again.
