ABSTRACT
The educational success and the safety of any out-of-school activity depend crucially upon the leadership qualities and experience of the teachers leading the party. It is essential that, from the earliest planning stage, the role and responsibilities of the group leader be clearly defined and accepted by everyone taking part, and that, if the nature of the visit justifies it, a deputy leader be appointed with a clearly defined role and with the responsibility for taking charge of the party if the leader is absent, or in an emergency when the leader is unable to take charge. While a school party is away on a visit the legal responsibility for the safety of pupils lies squarely with the leader or with any other adult to whom specific responsibility has been delegated.
