Parents 'want safer school trips'

Teachers are advised to have defined roles

One in three parents does not know who is in charge when their children are away on a school trip, a poll suggests.

The survey commissioned by the British Standards Institution (BSI) asked more than 700 UK parents for their views on children's safety on trips abroad.

It showed 82% thought trips should comply with a safety standard.

The results were released ahead of a meeting in London where BSI, the UK's standards body, will unveil a draft standard aimed at making trips safer.

One union, the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, has advised its members not to get involved in school trips for fear of becoming embroiled in legal action.

This standard is not about stopping anyone being adventurous Peter Eisenegger

The draft standard, called the BS 8848, is designed to apply to all schools and universities.

It aims to give one person overall responsibility for every trip and to give accountable and defined roles to the rest.

The standard will also work as a guide for travel operators, schools and other groups.

Peter Eisenegger, whose daughter died of a heat stroke on an expedition in 1999, said the standard was long overdue.

"Any parent who has been through something similar wants to help prevent the same thing happening again.

"This standard is not about stopping anyone being adventurous. It is about making sure the avoidable risks are managed much better."

BSI director Mike Low said he wanted to hear people's views on the draft, which is expected to be finalised early next year.

"Historically, travel safety procedures for young people on adventurous holidays abroad have been patchy," he said.

"BSI has been working closely with parents, teachers and travel operators to develop this new standard, designed to meet the increasingly complex health and safety regulations facing young people travelling abroad."