Outdoor learning has taken on a new importance in the development of the nation's children - not only as part of a political agenda but also as a way of switching on learners who have struggled in the classroom environment and liberating those restricted by their environment.

Ed Balls, children's secretary said, "We should not let a fear of a compensation culture prevent pupils from learning outside the classroom. On school trips - as in other areas - we need to help parents and teachers strike the right balance between protecting our children and allowing them the freedom to develop and enjoy childhood."

TUI Travel plc - Student Travel & Adventure Group (STAG) have, through their market-leading brands in the school education, expedition and adventure market, found teachers are put off organizing trips due to the administration headaches and safety risks involved.

Ian Finlay, managing director, STAG explains, "The STAG portfolio continues to develop new ways of working to support our customers. Over the last two years we have spent significant time developing our product range and made acquisitions of high quality specialist brands so that we are now the UK market leader in educational travel. As you would expect from a school tour market leader, all of our tours and programmes are designed to support the National Curriculum to ensure educational relevance in addition to meeting the highest safety standards."

Finlay adds, "One of the unique points of STAG is our bespoke safety support programme. Research has proven that teachers find this to be an overriding factor in their decision to organise tours. "Helping with Risk Assessments" contains in-depth safety information, useful downloads and links to other key areas to ensure teachers, parents, headmasters, governing bodies are happy to send their students away with a company that is leading the way in safety and is backed by TUI Travel plc"

58 students from Abbeyfield School, Chippenham travelled with JCA to Brixham in June. Ben Maxfield, tour leader from the school explains, "I had never organized or run a residential trip before and was not sure what to expect. I had struggled with my organisation of the trip but the JCA staff had it all under control. Any problems were dealt with efficiently and we will definitely be coming back to JCA."

Derek Scott, head of Geography at Kirkcaldy School took a group to the Alps with Travelbound, "We received speedy and accurate communications. Travelbound treated my queries with courtesy. They made me feel as if the school and Travelbound were a team."

Dr Eleanor Dand, Head of Modern Languages at Clifton High School concurs, "The tour I proposed was tailor-made to meet my requirements in Paris and Travelbound made a helpful suggestion for an evening activity. When we were delayed on our way to Paris, one team-member, Alice, was a star - phoning the hotel and restaurant and seeing that we would be fed on arrival."

For information on any of the Travelbound tours, please visit http://www.travelbound.co.uk/ or call  01273 265265

For information on JCA programmes, please visit http://www.jca-adventure.co.uk/ or call 01425 622777

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