The safety of our groups is the single most important responsibility we have and the NST Travel Group is committed to providing our groups with the highest possible safety standards at all times. DfES Guidelines NST's Unique Safety Management System External Inspection Request a Copy of NST's Safety Management System Policy Document

	The new DfES guidelines relating to Health and Safety on Educational Visits state: The LEA or governing body should advise schools to ask tour operators for a copy of their safety management system. A safety management system should define clearly how a tour operator manages safety for the component parts of the visit they will be providing. In particular tour operators should also be able to show how they are duly diligent in checking the safety of hotels and transport. The tour operator should also provide details of independent checks made by appropriate external organisations on their safety management system. The guidelines also explain that teachers have a Common Law duty of care to follow the advice of their LEA or governing body. The guidelines also explain that Head Teachers should ensure that the accreditation or verification of providers (i.e. tour operators) has been checked. For more details and exact wording see www.teachernet.gov.uk/responsibilities and www.teachernet.gov.uk/visits - standards for LEA’s, sections 56 – 61 * Whilst these guidelines only technically cover state schools in England, the advice given and the information regarding the NST Travel Group Safety Management System will undoubtedly be of interest to any school in the United Kingdom, which undertakes educational visits, in the interests of establishing best practice.

	In view of the DfES guidelines, we are delighted to advise you that since 1994, the NST Travel Group has operated a comprehensive Safety Management System. This Safety Management System was developed in conjunction with RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and has received the support of the NAHT, SHA, PAT and SSTA plus an increasing number of Local Education Authorities. NST's Safety Management System covers all aspects of safety on your tour including: Accommodation Coach Operators 24 Hour Emergency Assistance Pre-Tour Safety Guide Inspection Visits Our Safety Management System continues to reassure to both parents and teachers alike.

	The NST Safety Management System is annually inspected by a suitably qualified body ie RoSPA, against the best practice demonstrated in HSG 65, which is a formal Health and Safety Executive standard used for inspecting safety management systems.