Parent Urges Schools to Prioritise Sun Safety After Pupil Suffers Severe Burns on School Trip

Oliver Oakley, a Year 7 pupil at Parklands High School in Chorley, was part of a group of students who travelled to Barcelona from 24 to 30 May. On the final day of the trip, the group visited a water park where, according to his father, Oliver spent the day without sun protection, resulting in serious burns to his back and shoulders.

Oliver's father, Simon Oakley, described his son’s condition as “agonising” and said he was left “in tears” from the pain. The burns reportedly developed during the coach journey home, which lasted over 24 hours, with blisters worsening over time.

“We later learned from Oliver that he hadn’t applied sun cream that day and hadn’t been wearing a T-shirt or hat,” Mr Oakley said. “He was completely exposed to the sun in 30-degree heat.”

After returning home, Oliver was taken to Royal Preston Hospital, where nurses confirmed second-degree burns. The treatment involved draining blisters and removing damaged skin – a process his father described as “extremely distressing.”

Mr Oakley said first aid was provided on the return journey, including paracetamol and dressings, but he believes more proactive sun safety measures should have been in place throughout the day.

Following the incident, the family submitted a formal complaint to the school. Mr Oakley expressed frustration after speaking with school leadership, claiming he was told “nothing more could have been done,” despite seven staff members accompanying the trip.

“It’s taken about a month for Oliver’s skin to return to normal,” he added. “He’s doing better now, but is cautious about going out in the sun. This experience has had a lasting impact on his confidence.”

The incident has sparked wider concerns about sun safety on residential and overseas school trips, especially those involving outdoor activities. Health guidelines advise schools to take reasonable precautions, including:

• Encouraging or requiring the use of sun cream and UV-protective clothing;

• Ensuring students have access to shade and stay hydrated;

• Monitoring weather conditions and adapting activities as needed; and

• Providing clear reminders and supervision around sun safety practices.

Mr Oakley said his aim is not to place blame, but to raise awareness. He said, “No child should return from a school trip in that kind of pain. This should be a wake-up call. Schools need to take sun protection seriously — especially when children are outdoors all day in high temperatures.”

At the time of writing, Parklands High School has not issued an official response. Attempts to contact school representatives during the summer break were unsuccessful.

This case serves as a reminder for all educational settings to review risk assessments and safety protocols related to extreme weather and UV exposure, especially on trips abroad.

A concerned parent is calling for greater attention to sun safety on school trips after his 12-year-old son suffered second-degree sunburn during a recent visit to Spain with his school.

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