In reply to TomTelford:
I will send you Calum's contact
as for this.
> I am an MCI and regualrly run climbing trips around the UK with the students at the school, but I would like to take them for a sport climbing trip into Europe (France/Italy/Spain). I am aware that unlike the IML, there is no international equivalent for climbing apart from the BMG, which I would require to take paying clients into Europe. However, how does this work for students at a school I work at? Would they be deemed as 'paying clients' or I am permitted to run a climbing trip in Europe without an international qualfication?
> N.B This is an independent school, which is able to risk access and sign off it's trips.
It's a bit of a grey area, so sorry another long reply.
As Tom said each country has it's own laws on who can teach what. France, Italy and Spain, all have laws governing who can teach climbing. France you need a carte pro. Italy doesn't have an official rock climbing instructor yet (they are making one) so you need to be a guide, but it is a protected industry. Spain has a legal requirement but it changes by region and they seam to be not that strict on enforcing it. Now of course all that is for teaching climbing for reward.
It could be argued that teachers are paid for teaching and not really for the odd activity that they run, so don't come under this, but its grey. If you have outdoors in your role at the school then you are being paid (rewarded) to teach outdoor activities? Some school have instructors that do this role who aren't actually teachers. The other issue is if schools brings freelancers out with them, as they are not teachers and only being paid for that role so, They should come under the local laws.
Are the kids paying clients again is tough, the parents are paying for a rock climbing trip of which you are going to be the instructor. So. in one way there expectations are yes they are paying for course and they are expecting instruction. But your wage is for your role at the school not getting paid direct for this course? As you can see it can be argued both ways.
Now in France ( I guess it's the same for Italy and Spain but not 100% sure ) there is some lea way for teacher to take their students out for activities. The same way in the UK schools don't need a AALA licence. But there is nothing official (that I have seen) that extends this to overseas teachers and schools.
As you can see it has the potential to be a bit of a mine field. I am sure like many thing in life its all good until something goes wrong and then people could start pointing fingers, and poking in to the issues above.
My advice would be. To make this kind of course viable, you normally need at lease two teacher on the trip, so in turn between 10 and 16 students. So you would need at least another instructor especially is supervising leading. So use some who is locally qualified, you can still teach and coach the kids along side the local instructor. Unless you have a team of teachers that also hold MCI you would have to bring someone in any way. The bonus is there is no grey area if a licence inspector turns up or there an accident. Also they probably know the area, routes etc a lot better to get the most out the trip. and of course massively important where to get the best ice cream.
Again sorry it's not a straight forward reply. I am happy to chat further about this if you want to go in a bit more depth, probably better via DM
Cheers Rob
Post edited at 10:50