The Yorkshire Post says: Are schools now too risk-averse?

THE reluctance of some schools to organise trips, or outdoor activities, for pupils does need to be placed in context. Some simply don't have the time '“ or money '“ to do so. Others don't want to fall victim to a pernicious '˜compensation culture'.

Safety must always come first – and this is borne out by the preparatory work undertaken by those teachers still prepared to organise special activities for their students. The undertakings required are onerous.

However, as schools chief inspector Amanda Spielman warns, there are, regrettably, some schools where the culture is to wrap children “in cotton wool”. This risk-free approach, she says, means pupils are being denied the opportunity to learn about resilience, a lifelong skill, and broaden their horizons.

Citing the “barmy” example of a primary school which cancelled its sports day because of “dew on the grass”, the “cotton wool” test is an important lesson ahead of the new academic year.