Here you will find a range of local & nationally certificated courses designed for staff that have a responsibility within their establishment for the delivery, organisation and/or authorisation of off-site visits.
Outdoor VOLUNTEER Briefing…assisting with groups outdoors
Using EVOLVE …the basics: how to logon, input information etc.
Visit Leader Training …the Planning and Management of Off-Site Visits
Visit Leader Training – Early Learning & Childcare …the Planning and Management of Off-Site Visits
Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC&Head) Training …checking and approving the Planning and Management of Off-Site Visits
Risk Assessing Off-Site Visits …how to complete a risk assessment for any outdoor lesson/ visit/ event
Planning a Residential designed and led by teachers
Planning an Overseas Expedition – ‘Off the Beaten Track’ …a must if you are organising a visit in these environments
Outdoor VOLUNTEER Briefing
……assisting with groups outdoors (20min, online)
Course Overview
This briefing has been designed for those volunteers who would like to help with outdoor learning activities. Both ELC and the Scottish Government are encouraging schools to make good use of local outdoor venues and we appreciate, in many cases, this is not possible without the use of additional support from Volunteers. It has therefore been agreed that parents and other volunteers (including other ELC services) can help with making use of local off site spaces.
The briefing will be held on google meet. The dates/ times/ link can be found here…
All scheduled courses have now taken place.
Here is a link to the presentation. Please work through this in your own time and click on the google form link at the end to confirm you are aware of the content of the presentation. Click HERE
Using EVOLVE
…the basics: how to logon, input information etc (1.5 hrs)
Course Overview
This course has been designed for those staff within an establishment who are responsible for completing an EVOLVE form, who need a quick introduction to the EVOLVE system to get them started.
Click here for course dates, times, costs and how to book
Visit Leader Training
…Planning and Management of Off-Site visits (5 hours)
Course Overview
This course has been designed for those staff within an establishment who are responsible for organising trips.
A nationally recognised, certificated course covering preparation and planning for visits followed by practical skills required for leading successful visits outside the classroom.
The course is a two module course, covering preparation and planning for visits followed by practical on the ground module covering skills required for leading successful visits outside the classroom. The course covers the identification of relevant significant hazards and the importance of placing successful control measures including supervision and group management strategies.
Many of the examples used throughout the day will be specific to woodland, coastal, inland water and farm visits. These include the areas the Scottish government guidance ( http://www.goingoutthere.co.uk/ ) lists as ‘venues with specific planning considerations’ and request LA approval for certain aspects of the visits.
Completion of this course is strongly advised for any staff wishing to take young people on off-site visits.
This course only contains a brief reference to the EVOLVE trip management system.
The course is based both indoors and outdoors, please bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
Click here for course dates, times, costs and how to book
Visit Leader Training – Early Learning & Childcare
…Planning and Management of Off-Site visits (5 hours)
Course Overview
This course is aimed at Early Learning & Childcare staff to enable them to organise and lead learning outdoors away from the nursery e.g. In the woods, on the beach, in the park etc;.
This is a nationally recognised, certificated course covering preparation and planning for visits followed by practical skills required for offsite learning away from the nursery including in natural environments.
The course is a two module course, covering preparation and planning for off site learning followed by practical on the ground module covering skills required for leading learning in a natural environment away from the nursery. The course covers the identification of relevant significant hazards and the importance of placing successful control measures including supervision and group management strategies.
Many of the examples used throughout the day will be specific to woodland, coastal, inland water and farm visits. These include the areas the Scottish government guidance ( www.goingoutthere.co.uk ) lists as ‘venues with specific planning considerations’ and request LA approval for certain aspects of the visits.
Completion of this course is strongly advised for Early Learning and Childcare staff wishing to take young people on off-site visits.
This course only contains a brief reference to the EVOLVE trip management system.
The course is based both indoors and outdoors, please bring appropriate clothing and footwear
Click here for course dates, times, costs and how to book
Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC & Head) Training
…checking and approving the Planning and Management of Off-Site visits (6 hours)
Course Overview
This course has been designed for staff who hold responsibility for overseeing advising and checking that the correct procedures have been followed by the relevant people when an off-site visit is organised.
A nationally recognised, certificated course covering the management checks and procedures for off-site visits. Including; identify benefits and barriers and the EVC’s role in promoting offsite visits; present a legal framework and the importance of following employer guidance; EVC responsibilities and the competence of staff; Key procedures for planning, leading and evaluating off-site visits.
Completion of this course is expected for any EVC or Head approving off-site visits.
This course only contains a brief reference to the EVOLVE trip management system.
Click here for course dates, times, costs and how to book
Risk Assessing for Off-Site Visits
…how to complete a risk assessment for any outdoor lesson/ visit/ event
Course Overview
A certificated course covering how to carry out and document a risk assessment related to any outdoor learning event.
Click here for course dates, times, costs and how to book
Planning a Residential Designed and Lead by Teachers

Course Overview
A look at how to implement a ‘Brilliant Residential’ at your school.
Brilliant residentials are school trips with at least one overnight stay, which are:
- fully integrated with the school curriculum and ethos
- designed and led by teachers and, where appropriate, students
- inclusive and affordable for all students
- deliberately and collaboratively planned to meet students’ specific learning needs, and to embed and reinforce learning back in school
- part of a progressive programme of experiences
- designed to include a wide range of new and memorable experiences
- designed to allow space for students to develop collaborative relationships with both peers and staff
- evaluated rigorously
- supported by senior leadership and school governors.
Click here for course dates, times, costs and how to book
Overseas ‘Off the Beaten Track’ Visits
…a must if you are organising a visit in these environments
Course Overview
A short, certificated course covering preparation and planning specifically for overseas ‘off the beaten track visits’.
Completion of this course will become expected for any Visit Leader organising an overseas trip venturing into more remote or wilderness environments.
Click here for course dates, times, costs and how to book