Schools are supposed to be a 'safe' environment, both for staff and for children. But everyone knows that there is no such thing as a truly safe environment, and accidents at school do happen. When a child is injured, the first priority is the welfare of that child and their treatment and protection. But once the dust settles, can you as a parent claim compensation for your child's injury?
The simple answer is yes, you can. As with any other form of accident compensation claim, children are covered in the eyes of the law if an accident can be proven to be the fault of a third party through negligence. Children are naturally curious about their surroundings, and young children in particular may not yet have a clear concept of the dangers that may surround them.
In turn, a school has a duty of care to ensure the safety of every child while at school or involved in school activities that are carried out elsewhere. You are fully entitled to expect that every precaution is taken to ensure your child's safety and that they are adequately supervised at all times to prevent the chance of injury.
But accidents do happen. The most common types of accident in school include accidents caused by playground equipment, slips, trips or falls, accidents on school playing fields or during sports lessons and activities and accidents during school trips.
Although not every eventuality can be taken into account for every single child, there are basic guidelines enforced by the Government and education authorities that all schools must adhere to in an attempt to minimise the possibility of accidents. If those guidelines have not been followed, or there is evidence that the school has been negligent in their duty of care towards a child's well being and safety, then you may have grounds for claiming compensation.
Unlike other accident compensation claims, the time limit for making a school accident compensation claim on behalf of a child is extended beyond the usual two-year period that exists for adults. Claims for children can extend for three years from their 18th birthday or even longer in some cases. This is particularly important for children who have suffered injuries that have long-term consequences, because the development of the child will be affected and so the care needs may be radically different from one year to the next.
It is sometimes difficult to decide as to whether an accident has been caused by the negligence of the school or through the over-exuberance of the child themselves. A bump on the knee may just be a genuine accident that is nobody's fault (children have been known to 'trip over their own feet' on occasion!). But if that bump on the knee is the result of falling because of a slippery floor that was not clearly marked, then the fault does often lie with the school.
Parents often feel intimidated about taking their child's school on and can feel guilty about taking money that they believe could be better spent on educating their child. But it is not just about money (and any successful claim is paid by insurance in any event). If a school is failing to care for one child though neglecting its obligations to clearly mark wet floors, for example, then there is a strong likelihood that other children will suffer the same kind of injury. It is therefore only right that the school be made aware of their failing and to reinforce the importance of that duty of care element.
Additionally, everyone, including children, have the right to be compensated for an injury that wasn't their fault. Basic precautions can prevent most accidents in schools, but everyone should be aware that there is no such thing as a truly 'safe' environment, especially for children.
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2013年4月15日星期一
educational programs in their Youth
Often teachers will approach me with a general idea for a trip to a certain destination. I work closely with educators to customize tours that reflect their curriculum and provide fun and interesting sites on the itinerary.
Heather Stevens is school Coordinator for Overseas Educational Tours. She is a Para Educator for pre-kindergarten through fifth graders at Purvis Primary school in Bermuda. She needed guidance and ideas for an educational trip to Orlando. Stevens wanted her students to visit Walt Disney World, and engage in the study of science.
Walt Disney World in Florida has some excellent science-focused educational programs in their Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.). There are some specific programs geared towards the science student: Synergy in Science (Epcot Center), Wild by Nature (Animal Kingdom), Seaworld Education Program and Physics ?Energy & Waves (Magic Kingdom). Disney World exhibits are used as examples of the direct application of technology and science. This hands on learning experience is fun and educational for students.
The Principal, Deputy Principal and teachers scheduled the student group for all of the programs mentioned above. Student favorites included Animation Magic, Physics - Energy & Waves and Animals of Florida. "The students have been learning about animals and their habitats," commented Stevens, "and we have an annual science fair each February." She continued, "The YES Programs about Everyday Chemistry and Physics were a great tie in for our students as well."
Students also participated in the Synergy in Science Program at Epcot Center, where children are taught about the creativity and technology behind Disney entertainment programs. "The students were thrilled. Many spoke about their experiences in Epcot in their journal," said Stevens.
Stevens feels the trip to Walt Disney World was a useful learning tool because:
a.Children are able to relate to hands on activities.
b.Students retain a lot of information given.
c.Many of the students enjoy the movement.
d.This type of experience taps into a variety of learning styles.
During the trip to Walt Disney World, students were asked to keep a reflective journal. When they returned to Purvis Primary school in September 2010, the writing was shared by students at "an assembly of the entire school, where they gave details about the trip and shared pictures," according to Stevens.
Students are more likely to retain the information acquired during active learning experiences if they are told to record their thoughts in writing, or speak about them afterward.
When students presented their experiences to others, they said their favorite programs were Animation Magic ?where they learned about how a haunted house works by going backstage. Many of the students also had positive thoughts on the Seaworld Education Program.
This February, the children have been busy with the Science Fair. And, although they may not take a school trip this June, Stevens said she would like to do so again in the future. "Working with an educational travel company helped us create the core learning experiences for the trip. We would not have been able to travel as a school without this component," noted Stevens.
There are many different Disney Y.E.S. programs to choose from these days, as the educational series has expanded over the years. Some of the newer programs include: The American Story (history), Showbiz Magic at La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil an inside look at the Cirque de Soleil performers, Millenium Cultures (World Showcase), and Disney Leadership Excellence: The Inside Track. This is just a sampling of the many Y.E.S programs available to student travel groups in a variety of subjects.
The great part about scheduling a student group trip to Orlando to participate in Y.E.S. Programs, according to Heather Stevens, is "it educational fun for the adults as well.
Heather Stevens is school Coordinator for Overseas Educational Tours. She is a Para Educator for pre-kindergarten through fifth graders at Purvis Primary school in Bermuda. She needed guidance and ideas for an educational trip to Orlando. Stevens wanted her students to visit Walt Disney World, and engage in the study of science.
Walt Disney World in Florida has some excellent science-focused educational programs in their Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.). There are some specific programs geared towards the science student: Synergy in Science (Epcot Center), Wild by Nature (Animal Kingdom), Seaworld Education Program and Physics ?Energy & Waves (Magic Kingdom). Disney World exhibits are used as examples of the direct application of technology and science. This hands on learning experience is fun and educational for students.
The Principal, Deputy Principal and teachers scheduled the student group for all of the programs mentioned above. Student favorites included Animation Magic, Physics - Energy & Waves and Animals of Florida. "The students have been learning about animals and their habitats," commented Stevens, "and we have an annual science fair each February." She continued, "The YES Programs about Everyday Chemistry and Physics were a great tie in for our students as well."
Students also participated in the Synergy in Science Program at Epcot Center, where children are taught about the creativity and technology behind Disney entertainment programs. "The students were thrilled. Many spoke about their experiences in Epcot in their journal," said Stevens.
Stevens feels the trip to Walt Disney World was a useful learning tool because:
a.Children are able to relate to hands on activities.
b.Students retain a lot of information given.
c.Many of the students enjoy the movement.
d.This type of experience taps into a variety of learning styles.
During the trip to Walt Disney World, students were asked to keep a reflective journal. When they returned to Purvis Primary school in September 2010, the writing was shared by students at "an assembly of the entire school, where they gave details about the trip and shared pictures," according to Stevens.
Students are more likely to retain the information acquired during active learning experiences if they are told to record their thoughts in writing, or speak about them afterward.
When students presented their experiences to others, they said their favorite programs were Animation Magic ?where they learned about how a haunted house works by going backstage. Many of the students also had positive thoughts on the Seaworld Education Program.
This February, the children have been busy with the Science Fair. And, although they may not take a school trip this June, Stevens said she would like to do so again in the future. "Working with an educational travel company helped us create the core learning experiences for the trip. We would not have been able to travel as a school without this component," noted Stevens.
There are many different Disney Y.E.S. programs to choose from these days, as the educational series has expanded over the years. Some of the newer programs include: The American Story (history), Showbiz Magic at La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil an inside look at the Cirque de Soleil performers, Millenium Cultures (World Showcase), and Disney Leadership Excellence: The Inside Track. This is just a sampling of the many Y.E.S programs available to student travel groups in a variety of subjects.
The great part about scheduling a student group trip to Orlando to participate in Y.E.S. Programs, according to Heather Stevens, is "it educational fun for the adults as well.
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