The government has told schools and local authorities to ditch "unnecessary paperwork", as the DfE publishes new guidelines for parents and teachers in England which it hopes will mean more children go on school trips.
Education Minister Michael Gove wants a "more common sense approach to health and safety", and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) chairman Judith Hackitt commented that it was "time to out those who hide behind red tape and procedures and often blame… health and safety as the reason why they can’t do these things".
However, Amanda Brown, of the National Union of Teachers fears that the shortened guidance is too short, saying: "What we want is advice which is very clear and straightforward but long enough to cover enough of the detail so that people do feel secure."
BBC News and comment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14000093
Department for Education guidelines: http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/d/departmental%20advice%20on%20health%20and%20safety%20for%20schools.pdf.