The government has said schools must not take pupils on trips involving paddling in water without carrying out a full risk assessment.

The London Evening Standard reports that new guidelines have been published to encourage schools to take children out for more trips involving walking, outside activities and fieldwork – but has advised teachers not to allow children to venture into the sea on a hot day, for example, or paddle in canals, lakes or other stretches of water

The 58-page guidance document was published by schools minister Diana Johnson, after concern that teachers were refraining from taking school pupils on trips because of health and safety issues. The guidance has enforced the policy of not allowing children to take part in ‘impromptu water-based activities’.

‘Swimming and paddling or otherwise entering the waters of river, canal, sea or lake should never be allowed as an impromptu activity,” the report advises.

‘In-water activities should take place only when a proper risk assessment has been completed and proper measures put in place to control the risks.’

Margaret Morrissey of the organisation Children Outloud has called the guidance about paddling ‘ridiculous’.

‘Wading out into the ocean is one thing but there's nothing wrong with paddling where waves break,’ she said. ‘I want to see schools and youth groups taking advantage of opportunities that learning outside the classroom can provide.’

A spokeswoman for the Department of Children, Schools and Families said:

‘We are not banning paddling. We have seen cases in the past where things have not been planned and assessed for the risk. Unplanned activities around water can be dangerous.’

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