Outdoor Education Advisory Service - Plymouth

Delivered by Routeways on behalf of Plymouth City Council

Routeways delivers the Outdoor Education Advisory Service for schools in Plymouth, in partnership with Plymouth City Council. This service supports schools, academies, free schools, and voluntary sector organisations in planning and managing safe, high-quality outdoor and off-site educational experiences.

Contact the EVOLVE team now

Using EVOLVE – Plymouth City Council’s Planning & Approval System

EVOLVE is an online platform used for planning, approving, and managing:

  • Educational visits

  • Sports fixtures

  • Extra-curricular activities

Benefits of Using EVOLVE:

  • Reduces paperwork and simplifies procedures

  • Supports self-review and Ofsted inspection preparation

  • Builds staff confidence through clear national and local guidance

  • Ensures alignment with both employer policies and national standards

EVOLVE is provided free to maintained schools and can be purchased by academies and free schools at competitive rates.

Organisations outside the maintained school system can access a comprehensive support package, which includes:

  • Access to Expert Guidance:
    Educational Visit Coordinators (EVCs) and activity leaders can seek professional advice when planning visits. In the event of a serious incident, the Local Authority (LA) will work with your organisation as part of its duty of care.

  • Approval Checks:
    Selective reviews of trip approvals ensure planning processes are effective and aligned with best practices in safety.

  • Annual EVC Review:
    An annual meeting to assess the effectiveness of your EVC’s role, producing a brief report for governors and aligning with national quality indicators.

  • Policy & Process Updates:
    Annual review and update of your organisation’s visit policies and documentation, conducted in consultation with your EVC.

  • Tailored Support for Secondary Schools:
    Services are adapted to match the varied needs and structures of secondary education providers.

  • Technical Support:
    Dedicated assistance for academies to ensure smooth operation and integration of EVOLVE.

Support Packages for Academies, Free Schools, and Voluntary Organisations

Key Benefits of Our Advisory Service

  • Assurance of Local Authority support

  • National safety and quality benchmarks via the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP)

  • Access to up-to-date national guidance and documentation

  • Regular safety alerts and notices

  • External review of your safety management systems

  • Networking and practice-sharing across Plymouth and the wider South West region