Commenting on the package, the NASUWT has welcomed progress on protecting staff on activities outside the classroom, but has advised its members to consider very carefully before participating in educational visits. To read the NASUWT statement on protecting staff on activities outside the classroom, click here.

Read Virginia Hunt's blog "Do our pupils need school trips? by clicking here

And join other teachers currently debating "Teachers told to bring back adventure" in the Staffroom by clicking here 

Although more than eight million pupils take part in trips and other outside learning activities every year, many teachers feel reluctant to take children out because of health and safety fear, reports PA News. 

A series of tragedies over the last decade has put the issue of safety on school trips into the spotlight.

Three years ago geography teacher Paul Ellis of Cleveleys, near Blackpool, Lancashire, was jailed for 12 months for manslaughter after 10-year-old Max Palmer drowned during a school trip to the Lake District.

The measures being introduced will include training on how to run trips, including help on how to deal with risk management.

The Government is also joining forces with around 100 organisations such as local authorities, museums and activity centres to a launch a "manifesto" of commitments to encourage teachers to get pupils out and about.

Organisations which have signed up range from attractions such as the Eden Project in Cornwall to the National Trust and the Youth Hostel Association.

An organisation, the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, is being set up as an umbrella group to co-ordinate efforts.

Safety badges will be introduced for non-school staff such as activity instructors to reassure teachers and parents.

The inspection process will also be used to encourage schools to run trips with changes to Ofsted forms to give greater weight to the importance of trips and other ways of getting children learning out of the classroom.

The Government also pledged to consult on a new set of "no-nonsense" guidance for schools including advice on treating staff fairly in the event of pupils being involved in accidents.

Mr Johnson said: "Today's announcement is key to ensuring we help schools build on the excellent work many are already doing in this area with the reassurance of clear-cut guidance to reassure them that the law is there to protect them, not inhibit them."

He said the new council would help cut red tape for schools.

"Learning outside the classroom should be at the heart of every school's curriculum and ethos," he added.

"Children can gain valuable learning experiences from going on cultural visits overseas to teachers simply using their school grounds imaginatively.

"Educational visits and out-of-school teaching can bring learning to life by deepening young people's understanding of the environment, history and culture and improving their personal development."

The chairman of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, Les Lawrence, said: "The LGA is firmly in favour of the Government bringing the traditional school trip back into the fold. It is vital for the Government to introduce measures to protect teachers and allow them to return to the great outdoors without fear of spurious legal claims."

Mr Lawrence added: "Many schools and teachers find it difficult to refuse to bow to spiralling health and safety protocols responsible for the national reduction in school trips. There is a real danger that our compensation culture is lessening a child's enjoyment of life and it is high time for a balance to be struck between safety and enjoyment.

"Every school and every council wants to take children out on school trips, as this is an important part of helping children fulfil their potential. Local authorities want to encourage parents to participate more in the arrangements of these trips.

"Encouraging parents to share the responsibility would reduce the amount of no-win no-fee lawyers from trying to exploit health and safety laws. Schools and councils want to take children on these vital experiences, but with the fear and costs of lawsuits, they are being backed into a difficult corner."