Whilst we continue to work with the Department for Education (“DfE”) to identify and address any barriers to the removal of current Government guidance against Educational Visits, the emergence and impact of the new variants of Coronavirus continue to threaten the resumption of Educational Visits and we must make contingency plans for a possible extension or variation of this guidance. The aim of this survey is to help us understand better the current predicament of providers to refine the ask for financial support to UK Government and support on-going dialogue with Home Nation Governments.
We are aware that many providers rely on Educational Visits for the vast majority of their income and have had dramatically reduced or no income since March 2020. This has already resulted in the closure of many businesses within our sector and the corresponding loss of an immensely valuable provision and the talent that provides it. Our goal is to minimise any further negative impact and work with Government, as an extension of educational settings, to support the recovery strategy for children and young people across the UK.
Our understanding is that the protection of remaining bookings for the academic year 2020/21 (post Easter holidays) and the provision of a Government backed insurance policy (that would protect schools in the event of future Covid-related cancellations) is key to cashflows and therefore survival. In addition, some providers require direct cash support to enable them to support recovery from the impact of the pandemic.
The questions in this survey will help us quantify the impact and validate our proposals.
Please answer all questions that ask for an annual statistics with reference to a normal year of operation pre-Covid, i.e. 2019 or whatever you consider appropriate and complete no later the 09.00 a.m. on 3rd February 2021.
