Policy and practiceRoles and responsibilities

1.1.6 Training Requirements

Version v4 · Last updated 30 August 2026

Ongoing training and access to advice is essential for staff involved in planning and leading educational visits. It helps leaders stay informed about current guidance and develop the skills needed to manage visits safely and effectively.

Training and advice supports staff in areas such as risk management, safeguarding, emergency planning, inclusion and achieving learning outcomes. Competent leaders are central to ensuring that visits are safe, enjoyable and educationally valuable.

All Visit Leaders have a legal duty of care and must follow their employer’s policies and relevant guidance.

Senior Leadership Training

While some Heads/Managers are also the Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) within their school, others are further removed from the day-to-day management of educational visits. Despite this, they have oversight and responsibility for the safety and competent management of educational visits, often being the individual responsible for authorising visits via EVOLVE or another visit management system. Therefore, Heads/Managers should undertake relevant training and keep up to date with sector good practice.

Governors should be competent to effectively hold Senior Leaders to account and support as a critical friend.

Training for Educational Visits Coordinators (EVCs)

Schools are encouraged to appoint an Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) to support the Head/Manager in overseeing educational visits.

EVCs should:

Complete a minimum of six hours of EVC training from a reputable provider
Undertake refresher training approximately every three years
Record training and professional development on EVOLVE

E-learning alone is not sufficient.

Training for Visit Leaders

The Visit Leader is responsible for the learning, development, supervision and welfare of participants, as well as the overall safety of the visit.

To support these responsibilities, it is recommended that Visit Leaders undertake appropriate training. This may be delivered face-to-face, online or through blended learning.

Examples of training include:

Visit Leader Training: Provides preparation for planning and leading a range of visits, including residential, overseas and adventurous activities. The training typically focuses on risk assessment, planning and group management.

This training may include:

Principles of Visit Leadership covering the purpose of visits, legal responsibilities, planning, risk management and emergency procedures
Practicalities of Visit Leadership focusing on real-world planning and leadership considerations

Snowsport Visit Training: Specialist training designed for staff involved in snowsport visits, focusing on active risk assessment and supervision in alpine environments.

Adventurous Activity Leadership

Staff who wish to lead adventurous activities should obtain qualifications from the relevant National Governing Body (NGB) for the activity.

Many NGB qualifications involve:

A training course
A consolidation period to develop experience
A final assessment

Entry requirements vary depending on the activity and qualification level. Some entry-level awards require limited experience, while higher-level qualifications may require significant personal commitment and experience.

FAQs

Is there an update requirement for courses?

We recommend three years for Visit leader and EVC training. First Aid courses have a mandatory three year renewal, and NGBs have their own CPD requirements, often based around accumulating points by attending a range of training opportunities.

Is Visit Leader training mandatory?

We strongly recommend that Visit Leaders and Deputy Visit Leaders receive, and can evidence, appropriate training. There are a range of options to suit different needs at here.