​Preventing Burnout on School Excursions

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Running school excursions can be an incredibly rewarding experience for students, but for staff, it can also be exhausting. Burnout among educators is a real and serious issue that needs to be addressed as part of any school excursion risk management plan. With the introduction of ISO 31031, schools now have a structured framework to assess and manage not only the physical risks but also the human factors—like staff exhaustion—that can impact the safety and success of these programs.
 
Why Staff Burnout Should Be Part of Risk Assessments
 
School excursions, particularly outdoor education programs, require staff to be constantly alert and vigilant. Unlike classroom teaching, there’s no downtime in outdoor settings. Staff must oversee every aspect of the trip, from managing student safety to monitoring environmental conditions. After several consecutive weeks of intense school programs, staff fatigue can set in, leading to a decline in judgment, slower response times, and increased risk of accidents.
 
Despite this, burnout is often overlooked in formal risk assessments. It might be mentioned as an afterthought, but is it really taken seriously? The ISO 31031 standard encourages schools to incorporate staff well-being into their risk management processes to ensure that every aspect of an excursion, including staff fatigue, is considered.
 
The Impact of Burnout on School Excursions

Ignoring the risk of burnout can lead to significant problems. As I’ve experienced firsthand, a lack of attention to staff fatigue can result in high turnover rates, with educators and instructors leaving because they’re overworked and under-appreciated. This constant cycle of recruitment, induction, and training can be costly and disruptive to school programs.

​In one school where I worked, burnout was rampant. Senior management paid lip service to staff well-being but failed to implement real changes. The result? High staff turnover and a lack of continuity in outdoor programs. Overworking staff not only leads to burnout but can also compromise the safety and quality of the educational experience for students.
 
Incorporating ISO 31031: A Proactive Approach to Risk Management
 
To avoid staff burnout and ensure safe and effective school excursions, schools need to take a more structured approach to risk management, following the guidelines set by ISO 31031. This international standard emphasizes the importance of human factors in risk assessments, encouraging schools to:
 

• Account for Staff Fatigue: Regularly assess the physical and mental well-being of staff, especially during long or consecutive excursions. Breaks and recovery periods should be built into the program schedule to prevent exhaustion.
• Ensure Adequate Staffing Levels: Always maintain sufficient staff-to-student ratios, factoring in the 24-hour supervision required on many trips. This ensures that staff are not overstretched and can manage risks effectively.
• Monitor Morale and Judgment: Burnout can impact staff judgment and decision-making. By keeping an eye on staff morale, management can take proactive steps to prevent exhaustion before it affects the safety of the trip.

 
Balancing Risk and Educational Outcomes
 
Outdoor education trips are often longer and more demanding than classroom-based activities, but they provide invaluable life experiences for students. Ensuring staff have adequate support, breaks, and appreciation for the extra effort they put in is key to maintaining high safety standards and delivering quality educational outcomes.
 
When schools adopt ISO 31031 and integrate staff well-being into their risk management strategies, they create a safer, more supportive environment for both staff and students. This not only reduces risks but also enhances the overall experience, making school excursions memorable for all the right reasons.
 
Incorporating staff well-being into your school excursion risk assessments is not just a best practice—it’s essential for maintaining the safety and effectiveness of your programs. ISO 31031 provides a comprehensive framework to help schools manage risks, including the human element. By recognizing and addressing staff fatigue and burnout, schools can ensure safer, more successful trips, keeping both students and educators engaged, energized, and focused on creating positive, educational experiences.
 
Investing in your staff’s well-being is an investment in the safety and success of your school’s outdoor education programs.