Bluecoat Primary Academy Local Area Framework
At Bluecoat Primary Academy, our Local Area Framework is a fundamental document guiding our educational activities, particularly concerning field trips, outdoor education, and community engagement. This Framework outlines specific guidelines and procedures that address the unique characteristics, needs, and potential hazards of our local area. Its creation and implementation serve several essential purposes, ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff while maximising the educational benefits of local experiences
- Safety and Risk Management
- Enhanced Learning Opportunities
- Community Engagement and Relationship Building
- Guiding Staff Training and Developmen

General
Local learning area trips and visits involve no more than an everyday level of risk, such as slips and trips and are covered by a school’s current policies and procedures. They only need a little extra planning beyond the educational aspect of the trip. They can be considered as lessons in a different classroom.
Visits/activities within the ‘Local Learning Area’ that are part of the normal curriculum and take place during the normal school day follow the Operating Procedure below.
These visits/activities:
- must be recorded on EVOLVE via the ‘Local Area Visit’ module. (Or if not activated: must be recorded on a ‘Signing-out’ sheet to be left with the office)
- do not require parental consent. (State if there are any situations where you would like parents to be informed in advance, eg. via EVOLVE or a slip sent home).
- do not normally need additional risk assessments / notes (other than following the Operating Procedure below).
Sporting Fixtures
Sports fixtures which take place at another school and are either in or out of school time follow the Operating Procedure below.
These fixtures:
- must be recorded on EVOLVE via the ‘Local Area Visit’ module. (Or if not activated: must be recorded on a ‘Signing-out’ sheet to be left with the office)
- do not require parental consent. (State if there are any situations where you would like parents to be informed in advance, eg. via EVOLVE or a slip sent home).
- do not normally need additional risk assessments / notes (other than following the Operating Procedure below.
Boundaries & Locations
The boundaries of the Local Learning Area are shown on the attached map. This area includes, but is not limited to, the following frequently used venues:
- King George V Playing Fields
- Bluecoat Aspley Academy & Bluecoat Beechdale Academy
- St Margaret’s Church Aspley
- ASDA Supermarket
- Strelly Library
- Local Libraries
- Brocklewood Primary School
- Strelly recreational Ground
Sports fixtures primarily take place at schools and locations listed below. These include, but are not limited to, the following frequently visited venues:
- Broxtowe Country Park
- Harvey Hadden

Please find below the BPA Way Local Area Framework, which outlines the operational procedures we must follow to mitigate risks during all local area visits.
This framework serves as a generic risk assessment for routine activities in the local learning area. It highlights key hazards to be mindful of:
- Road traffic and busy pedestrian crossings
- Stranger danger (members of the public)
- Animals, allergens, and reactions
- Uneven surfaces, slips, trips, and falls
- Weather conditions, sunburn, or heat-related illnesses
- Nature-specific issues (e.g., nettles, brambles, rubbish)
- Water hazards (ponds, rivers, lakes)
- Supervision challenges in crowded areas (parks, shopping centers)
- Potential for pupils to become lost or disoriented in unfamiliar places
- Public transportation safety (buses, trams)
- Access to first aid and emergency services
- Remote supervision (e.g., at parks or libraries)
- Changing for swimming and hygiene concerns
- Public toilets and cleanliness
- Vandalism or unsafe areas
- Peer-to-peer conflict or behavior issues during transitions
- Construction sites or roadworks
- Lack of mobile signal in certain areas