Guidelines offering teachers protection from legal claims in the event of accidents on school trips have been given a cautious welcome by union leaders.

Ruth Kelly, the education secretary, said today that as long as teachers have taken "reasonable care" they will be protected by law if something goes wrong.

She said that all children should have the chance to enjoy out-of-school activities such as fieldwork and residential trips to enrich their education.

The announcement followed advice published by teachers' union NASUWT which warned its members against taking pupils out of school because of the risk of legal action.

Last week the Commons Education Select Committee attacked the union over its stance and called on ministers to promote outdoor education.

Mrs Kelly said: "The majority of schools already offer a range of outdoor learning including school trips that enrich the curriculum, build confidence and increase skills.

"However, we know that some schools and staff would like reassurance about their responsibility for pupil safety.

"We want to make sure that all teachers have the confidence to continue offering these experiences and that everyone involved in a school trip, including parents, are aware of their rights and responsibilities."

The details of the guidance, which ministers hope to publish in full in the summer, will include moves to cut bureaucracy as well as ensure safety.

It will make clear that teachers who carry out "straightforward, compulsory safety checks" will minimise the risk of litigation.

The NASUWT had attacked what it called the "increasingly litigious attitude among parents" that puts teachers at risk of being sued.

Mrs Kelly said that there was no evidence that teachers were found liable where they have acted reasonably.

She said: "While there are tragic accidents, we don’t have any evidence that suggests there is a real problem of teachers accepting liability where they haven’t acted completely unreasonably."

Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, welcomed the announcement but stopped short of changing the union’s advice against school trips at this stage.

"This is an extremely helpful and welcome development," she said. "When the detailed guidance is published I am confident that the NASUWT national executive will wish to respond positively."

David Hart, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, also backed Mrs Kelly’s drive to encourage more schools to take trips.

"We must get away from the totally unfounded belief that a solicitor’s letter is always waiting around the corner whenever a school visit takes place," he said. "Teachers who follow the good advice that already exists, and who use their common sense, have nothing to fear."

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