Bury Local Authority recognises that pupils can gain a great deal of educational benefit from taking part in visits with their school. Such trips can help children to experience activities and environments that are new and challenging and to develop initiative, resourcefulness and independence.
Visits can range from short trips to local parks or museums to overnight stays in foreign countries. Some visits may include potentially hazardous activities such as rock climbing or water-sports, but whatever the nature of the visit, it is essential that they are all carried out with the highest regard for the safety and welfare of the pupils, staff and any volunteers taking part.
The Authority is committed to supporting educational visits. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) guidance on 'Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits' provides a simple and effective way of planning trips to make them as safe as possible. A full copy of this guide can be downloaded via the
DCSF website. The Authority has revised existing guidelines for Good Practice on Educational Visits and Offsite Activities. The document has been approved and adopted by the Authority. Schools have received copies for adoption and further copies are available by contacting
Childrens.Services@bury.gov.uk at Athenaeum House, Market Street, Bury BL9 0BN telephone 0161 253 5652.
An Education Visits Co-ordinator to work in conjunction with Health and Safety Officers has be appointed to support schools and all services and establishments undertaking off site visits.
In the North of England there are many places which offer great educational benefits. Some of these give special discounts to schools/youth services, or have specifically organised events and even have risk assessment documentation available.
Burrs Activity Centre is situated in a country park 5 minutes from Bury town centre, the centre provides an excellent flat water training pool suitable for introducing beginners to canoeing and canoe polo. There is a canoe circuit involving the canal and River Irwell which allows plenty of opportunity to develop white water skills, and even shoot and play in the weirs, when at a safe level. There is a GMOA permanent orienteering course, maps are available at weekends from the Office situated in the Activity Centre. Inside the Activity Centre there is a climbing wall and for the more adventurous there is an abseil wall within the Park. There are full changing and shower facilities available.
Should you wish to gain recognised canoeing awards the centre provides tuition for British Canoe Union awards which are available for varying levels, both adult and junior.
Schools visit the centre for fun activity days and educational visits regularly.
Available in the centre is a cafeteria serving all day breakfasts, snacks, hot and cold drinks and ice creams. You could take advantage of having an activity birthday party with Burrs providing the party food. The cafeteria area is also available for hire for small meetings or classroom usage.
The Burrs Cottages contains a 34 bed bunk room, function room, with full self catering facilities, alternatively catering can be arranged to suit your needs. The function room is large enough to hold both corporate and pleasure requirements.
The Authority will be discussing issues in the new guidance around risk assessment and accreditation with the Burrs management to assist those organisations wishing to use the centre's facilities.
