Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS)

Questions and Answers

Why should I bother?

Increasingly, schools are looking for assurance that farms are safe places to visit and are of educational quality. CEVAS is an indication of best practice on farms that are open for educational visits. The government is introducing a badging scheme for school visit locations and CEVAS will be the recognised symbol for farms.

Who can become a member of CEVAS Part 2?

Anyone with a farm who has completed CEVAS Part 1.

How much will it cost?

There is at present an initial one-off cost of £60 + vat after which there are no further costs, provided all evidence is provided satisfactorily and on time.

Will I be inspected?

A percentage of applications will be inspected however the majority of the assessment of Part 2 applications will be completed as a desk exercise and if the farm is judged to meet all the required standards, the assessor will recommend that a CEVAS certificate be awarded.

Will I receive any recognition?

Yes you will receive a certificate, a plaque and a logo (supplied on disc) for use on your publicity materials, supplied from Farming and Countryside Education. Access To Farms can also help publicise your facilities through the Growing Schools website, and when schools make enquiries.

Can I get help to prepare the farm for visits and to fill in the forms?

CMS UK will, if you wish, carry out a farm visit to offer explanation on how to achieve the standards, however this will involve an additional charge of £170 + vat. Informal help and advice is also available by telephone (see below).

What if I can't send all the supporting information with the application?

CEVAS Part 2 is based upon a complete set of supporting documents being submitted with the application. If you cause delays in the system which results in extra work for CMS UK, a charge of £50 + vat will be made. You are therefore advised to be certain that you have all copies of the required supporting information available before making your application.

What happens if the application does not meet the standards?

If on inspection and verification of the application by CMS UK, any supporting documents are found to be missing or incomplete, you will be contacted by letter to request the additional information. You will have 30 days to correct this without any cost. After 30 days' delay, £50 + vat will be charged by CMS UK to cover the additional administration costs.

What happens if we have a spot check and we don't meet the standards?

Again, you will have 30 days to correct this without any cost. After 30 days, an existing certificate will be withdrawn and £50 + vat will be charged by CMS UK to process the evidence that any non-compliances have been rectified and to re-issue the certificate.

How long does the certificate last?

The certificate will last for one year and then you must re-apply using the 'Confirmation of Compliance' form, along with updated supporting evidence. CMS UK will send out reminders 30 days before your certificate expires. Please note that at the present time the Part 2 renewals are being covered by sponsorship and therefore individual applicants do not have to pay.

If you have any general queries about Access To Farms or CEVAS please contact Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) on 02476 853089 or 01373 302204. If you have any queries about the details of the CEVAS - Part 2 please contact the independent assessors CMS UK on 01270 522645.

Further reading:

• Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS)
• CEVAS Training
• CEVAS Assessment