School excursions offer students invaluable learning experiences outside the classroom, but they also come with inherent risks. When teachers and staff are unprepared to assess or manage these risks, the danger increases significantly. ISO 31031, the international standard for travel school risk management, helps schools implement structured, effective systems to ensure student safety on excursions. Proper risk management training for teachers is essential to prevent accidents and ensure trips run smoothly.
 
Many Risks Stem from Lack of Training
 
A major issue in school excursions arises when teachers are expected to plan and mitigate risks for activities they are unfamiliar with. Without the proper training and experience, teachers may not understand the specific hazards of a location or activity. This lack of understanding can lead to poor decision-making, which puts students in unnecessary danger.
Imagine an inexperienced driver behind the wheel without any supervision, it's a disaster waiting to happen. Yet, many schools unknowingly allow teachers to take students on excursions without equipping them with the necessary knowledge of risk management. The problem isn't always the inherent risks of the trip but the lack of experience in recognizing and addressing them. Relying on guesswork or luck is never a reliable way to manage risk, and the consequences can be severe if things go wrong.
 
The Consequences of Untrained Risk Management
 
Consider this scenario: a group of teachers takes students on a multi-day canoe expedition in Kangaroo Valley. They have no maps, no communications devices, and no backup plan. 
 
During the trip, one teacher saw a snake, which led them to avoid hiking and choose canoeing instead, believing it to be a safer option. Unfortunately, without proper risk assessment, they failed to consider the actual dangers of the river itself, including strong currents and the presence of wildlife like snakes in the water (yes we came across a group and this all actually happened).
 
This lack of preparedness reflects a common problem in school trips. With no trained canoe instructors or proper planning in place, the group was relying entirely on luck for the trip to go well. This kind of risk management is highly irresponsible, and the consequences could have been disastrous.
 
ISO 31031: A Framework for Safe School Excursions
 
The key to preventing situations like this is ensuring that all teachers leading excursions are trained in risk management. ISO 31031 provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the risks involved in travel and outdoor activities, helping schools develop contingency plans for emergencies and mitigate both operational and inherent risks.
 
By using the ISO 31031 framework, schools can ensure that teachers are equipped to handle risks specific to the excursion whether it's evaluating the safety of a campsite, planning for sudden weather changes, or managing the dangers of wildlife encounters. Teachers who are trained in general and program-specific risk management are far more capable of making informed decisions that keep students safe.
 
Why Teacher Training is Essential
 
Schools don’t allow untrained teachers in the classroom, so why let untrained staff lead excursions? Every teacher involved in an off-campus trip should understand how to identify risks and implement effective mitigation strategies. From transportation safety to handling large groups in unfamiliar environments, teachers need to be trained and experienced in managing the full scope of risks that arise during excursions.
Proper training ensures that teachers are not only prepared for routine issues but are also equipped to respond effectively to unexpected situations. This reduces the chance of accidents and makes for a smoother, more enjoyable trip for everyone involved.

The risk of sending untrained staff on school excursions is simply too great. By incorporating risk management training and adopting the ISO 31031 standard, schools can ensure their excursions are safe, well-planned, and educational. If you’re unsure of the risks involved or feel unprepared, now is the time to seek training. Knowledge is the best tool to prevent accidents and run exceptional school excursions that provide enriching experiences for students while keeping them safe.

Participating in STEM competitions abroad offers students invaluable experience, but it also introduces unique challenges and risks. Travel, large-scale events, and the use of specialized equipment all require careful planning to ensure student safety. This is where ISO 31031, the international standard for travel risk management, plays a critical role. By integrating this framework into their risk management strategies, schools can better prepare staff for potential hazards, safeguarding students during travel and competition events.
 
Ensuring Safety During Travel and Competition Events
 
STEM competitions often involve international travel, which brings various risks, including health, security, and logistical challenges. ISO 31031 provides a systematic approach to managing these risks by guiding schools in evaluating the potential threats associated with international travel, from transportation to accommodation. One key aspect of risk management is training staff to handle emergencies abroad, ensuring they are equipped to make quick, informed decisions in high-pressure situations.
Staff trained in ISO 31031 are better prepared to assess risks like navigating foreign airports, understanding local regulations, and preparing for health concerns. This training also ensures that students have access to appropriate medical care, secure accommodation, and safe transportation options. In addition to travel logistics, competition venues themselves present risks—such as large crowds or inadequate security—that staff must be ready to address.
 
Evaluating Risks Associated with Large Crowds, Equipment Use, and Venue Security
 
STEM competitions typically draw large crowds and involve sophisticated technology, both of which can pose safety risks. ISO 31031 guides staff in evaluating these specific threats. For example, at a robotics competition, ensuring that the venue has adequate crowd control measures and clear emergency exits is critical. Proper risk management also involves making sure that the equipment students use is safely stored, transported, and operated. This preparation reduces the risk of accidents during setup or the event itself.
Additionally, ISO 31031 helps schools develop contingency plans to handle potential incidents, such as equipment malfunctions or overcrowding. Staff are trained to work closely with event organizers to ensure that safety protocols are in place and that local emergency services are accessible.
 
Example: Safe STEM Competition Participation
 
Consider a team of students traveling to a robotics competition in another country. Thanks to good risk management training, the school’s staff conducts a thorough risk assessment of the competition venue. They ensure that adequate safety measures are in place for managing large crowds, and they work with the event organizers to verify that the equipment is stored and transported safely. As a result, students are able to participate in the competition without any safety incidents, and the trip goes smoothly from start to finish.
 
Incorporating ISO 31031 into risk management training for STEM competitions abroad is essential to ensuring student safety. With proper staff training and a structured approach to evaluating travel and venue risks, schools can prevent accidents, manage potential emergencies, and ensure that students have a successful and safe competition experience.

Risk management in schools, especially when it comes to off-campus activities, has long been overlooked. Teachers, despite their extensive training in classroom instruction, often lack the knowledge and skills to manage the safety and logistics of excursions, camps, or overseas trips. As more of these activities become part of the annual curriculum, schools must move beyond relying on teachers learning risk management "by osmosis." The introduction of ISO 31031 provides a standardized approach to address this gap, offering schools a structured framework for managing risks and ensuring student safety.
 
The Problem with "Risk Management by Osmosis"
 
Historically, teachers were rarely involved in planning or managing school trips, making risk management less of a priority. However, today’s educators are responsible for a wide range of activities, from local excursions to international trips. Unfortunately, most teachers are left to "learn on the job" when it comes to managing these events. This passive approach, where they pick up knowledge as they go, often leads to inadequate risk assessments and unpreparedness in critical situations.
 
ISO 31031 directly addresses this issue by setting out clear guidelines for managing risks associated with school trips, ensuring teachers are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need. Rather than leaving safety to chance, this standard empowers educators to plan and execute trips with confidence, reducing the reliance on chance or "osmosis" to keep students safe.
 
Why ISO 31031 is Critical for Modern Excursions
 

1. Comprehensive Risk Management
   ISO 31031 provides a thorough approach to risk management for school trips. It covers everything from transportation safety to emergency preparedness, allowing teachers to plan proactively rather than reactively. By following ISO 31031, schools can ensure that risks are identified and mitigated before the trip begins, from minor hazards to major emergencies.

 

1. Effective Training for Teachers
   Proper training is crucial for any educator tasked with managing school trips. ISO 31031 emphasizes the need for comprehensive risk management training, ensuring that all staff involved in off-campus activities are adequately prepared. Teachers need to understand more than just the basics—they must know how to assess risks, plan for emergencies, and make informed decisions under pressure. This level of training is essential, whether the trip is a local excursion or a complex overseas tour.

 

1. Avoiding Costly Mistakes
   Many schools overlook risk management training due to the perceived costs. However, the cost of not training staff properly can be far higher. Investigating even a minor incident during a school trip can result in thousands of dollars in expenses—not to mention the reputational damage and potential legal consequences. ISO 31031 helps schools avoid these pitfalls by ensuring teachers are properly trained to handle and mitigate risks, reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes.

 
 
Real-World Implications: A Case for Better Risk Management
 
Consider the case of a school trip overseas where a teacher leads students on a cultural immersion tour. Without proper risk management training, the teacher may not anticipate issues such as cultural misunderstandings, political unrest, or logistical challenges. If something goes wrong, the teacher's lack of preparedness could lead to serious consequences. However, under the ISO 31031 framework, teachers are trained to plan for these risks in advance, ensuring the safety and well-being of their students.
 
Relying on "risk management by osmosis" is no longer a viable option for schools. The stakes are simply too high. With more schools incorporating local and international trips into their curricula, it’s essential that educators are fully equipped to manage the associated risks. This means proper training in risk assessments and risk management for school excursions and clearly defined roles and responsibilities the new standard offers a practical, cost-effective solution that ensures teachers have the tools and training they need to safeguard students on every trip.
 
By embracing ISO 31031, schools can shift away from outdated approaches and foster a culture of proactive, informed risk management. This not only protects students but also enhances the overall educational experience, ensuring that each trip is remembered for the right reasons.