Bell boating

The Plymouth Schools' Sports Coordinators' Scheme has acquired a number of bell boats and is arranging training for staff to lead this activity. This will require operations to be schools lead, and so the expectation placed upon schools will be similar to those required by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) scheme. Similar arrangements apply to moorland activities and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

The Schools' Sports Coordinators' (SSCO) Team has produced much of the information schools require and anyone attending training will get this.

In addition, it will be necessary to ensure that schools have satisfied themselves of:

• the competency and experience of staff, including first aid
• that any equipment is fit for purpose
• that there are arrangements for check in and out groups that will identify when a group is overdue
• that parents are provided with adequate details of the activity in order to give their consent
• that there is a very clear understanding of the conditions applied to the area designated for the use of bell boats so that operation remains within placid water

For more information email rpwright@plymstockschool.org.uk, Schools' Sports Coordinator at Plymstock School.