Revised guidelines for school trips have still not been published, despite a promise by the government last summer to produce a new handbook for schools.

The plan to update guidance to schools followed a series of deaths last year, such as the drowning of 11-year-old Bunmi Shagaya in France and the death of 17-year-old Amy Ransom while on a mountain trek in Vietnam.

Max Palmer was swept away in a small flooded river near Glenridding in Cumbria

The Department for Education had anticipated that a consultation period - involving outdoor adventure experts, school staff associations and the Health and Safety Executive - would be completed during the autumn term 2001.

But a department spokesman said the revised guidelines were still in the process of being updated and a handbook would be made available to schools in July.

Ministers were planning to introduce a new handbook for group leaders on the practicalities of supervising visits and to agree standard good practice with local authorities and clarify the legal powers and duties of authorities and schools.

Latest tragedy

Now the death of 10-year-old Max Palmer, who was swept away in a small river on a trip to the Lake District, has again raised questions about the safety of school trips, for teachers and pupils alike.

Max was not part of the official group from Fleetwood High School in Lancashire, but was on a day out with his mother, who is a classroom assistant with the school.

Pupils should always be in sight of their supervisors

Department for Education guidelines

But the circumstances in which he died have focused attention on the guidance schools are given for trips.

The current guidelines - a 72-page document called Health and safety of pupils on educational visits - cover a range of issues, such as supervision of pupils and insurance cover for schools.

One of the most basic pieces of advice is that teachers should carry out routine headcounts of pupils on the trip.

"Whatever the length and nature of the visit, regular head counting should take place, particularly before leaving any venue," the Department for Education guidelines say.

Pupil-teacher ratio

And all supervisors should carry a list of all the pupils and adults on the trip.

The government recommends a pupil-teacher ratio of one adult for every 10 to 15 pupils in school years four to six (nine to 11 year olds).

For years one to three (five to eight year olds) the ratio should rise to one adult to every six pupils.

Hazards of waters

The guidelines recognise the specific dangers of the sea or other "natural waters".

Swimming and paddling are described as "potentially dangerous activities for a school group".

Any school taking part in an organised activity, such as sailing or canoeing, must make sure the activity provider has a licence.

But teachers should be aware that they "retain ultimate responsibility" for pupils at all times during adventure activities.

"Pupils should always be in sight of their supervisors. One supervisor should always stay out of the water for better surveillance," the guidance says.

The group leader should also be aware that many children who drown are strong swimmers and should be aware of the local conditions - such as currents and weeds.

Insurance

All schools should be covered for trips and outings by a suitable insurance policy.

"The group leader must ensure, well before the group departs, that adequate insurance arrangements are in place," the current guidelines say.

"The group leader should write to the parents to tell them what responsibility the local education authority/school accepts and the scope of any insurance cover the school is to arrange."

Parents should be given full details about the trip and must sign a consent form before their child can to take part in the trip.

They should also give authorisation for emergency medical treatment.

When organising a trip abroad, schools are advised that it is "good practice" to carry out an exploratory visit to the location and that at least one of the adults present should speak and read the native language.