The EVC Magazine Summer 2024 - Magazine - Page 13
SCHOOL STORY:ALDERMAN RICHARD HALLAM SCHOOL
Making a big idea a reality
It started with an exciting idea but to turn that into
reality took a lot of planning. From an EVC perspective,
there were a lot of things to work out. The challenges:
a non-school day (Sunday), an early start and very
late finish, huge crowds of people, journeying to and
from London (we are in Leicester) and a group of very
excited (and nervous) children.
Planning and discussions between myself and other
staff were key here, as well as effective communication
with parents and carers. Without these, the trip
would have struggled. My colleagues and I also had
to work very closely with the NFL American Football
organisation to work out the logistics throughout the
day.
“
It was ALL WORTH IT
An experienced team is essential
Having experienced staff on the trip helped to keep
the children at ease in a challenging environment and
allowed us to manage the day well.
We wanted the pupils to soak it in and enjoy
themselves as much as possible. There was a lot of
movement throughout the day, not least navigating
public transport and members of the public. Again,
our experienced staff helped to manage this with
dynamic risk assessments truly being required to not
only safeguard the children, but to ensure they got the
most out of the day.
Wayne and pupils in the tunnel at half time
getting ready to show their skills.
Wayne Holder is EVC at Alderman
Richard Hallam Primary School, the
largest primary school in Leicester
City.
Wayne has over 16 years' experience of working in
schools, and has been an EVC since around 2016.
He has supported multiple trips for primary and
secondary schools ranging from local area walks
to residentials in Europe.
Now working in a very large primary school in inner
city Leicester (around 900 pupils), he coordinates
a broad programme of visits of varying complexity
e.g. taking 120 Reception pupils on a single visit!
www.arhprimary.co.uk
The whole day, even though it was long, felt like a
whirlwind. The pupils fell asleep on the way back
home and we didn’t get back until 11:30pm. However,
it is an educational visit they will never forget. At
the end of that year, and several years later, it is still
something that people talk about in our school.
This was an incredible experience and it felt such a
privilege to share it with these children.
This year we are off to Wimbledon, to make even more
memories.
My advice to EVCs is: don’t ever
be scared to aim high and give
your pupils those once-in-alifetime opportunities.
THE EVC MAGAZINE 3 SUMMER 2024
If you’re planning a complex visit
like this, your educational visits
adviser can help you work through
the various aspects such as using
transport, visiting public spaces, and
out-of-hours visits using the STAGED
approach to risk management as a
framework.
See OEAP NG 4.2a Group
Management and Supervision; 4.5a
Transport General Considerations
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