ACROBAT
Consent form templates: Create your own permission slips.
Download free editable consent form templates for school trips. Create permission slips that parents can easily fill out.
Permission slips are important documents you can use for school events and trips. It’s a good idea to make these easy to understand and fill out, so you can make sure every student gets the approval they need to participate in the next trip or activity you have planned.
With Adobe Acrobat, you can explore consent form templates, edit them to suit your needs, and then save them for easy access, sharing and re-use. Learn more about how to create your own permission slips in our helpful guide below.
What is a permission slip?
Permission slips, also known as consent forms, are used to obtain approval from a student’s parent or guardian for activities outside the classroom—such as school trips or extracurricular events. Since students are minors and cannot legally give consent themselves, these forms ensure that schools have the necessary authorisation to proceed.
Learning often extends beyond the classroom, and taking students outside the regular curriculum can offer valuable new experiences. However, some school trips or activities—such as hiking, sports, or using equipment—may carry additional risks. That’s where a permission slip becomes essential, ensuring parental consent and helping schools manage responsibility.
Creating a consent form doesn’t have to be difficult. You can download and use free templates from sites like Adobe Acrobat. Everything you need is available online, meaning you can create and save your reusable letter of permission templates in just a few clicks. You can even share them digitally with parents so they can fill in the slips and send them back to you quicky and easily.
What to include in a permission slip template.
If you’re planning an activity that requires a permission slip, it’s likely because it involves some level of risk. This means you should make sure that you include all the necessary details when it comes to writing your letter of consent.
Whether you’re heading out on a school trip or to a sports day, make sure your permission letter includes the following essential information:
- The student’s name
- Specific activity details and their purpose
- Dates – plus start and end times
- The teachers and supervisors in charge
- Location and any transportation they’ll be taking
- The permission statement: ‘I, [parent/guardian’s name], give my child, [child’s name] permission to attend [activity/trip name] with [organisation/school name], supervised by [teacher’s name].’
- Space for any allergies, medical conditions or medication
- Request for emergency contact information
- Space for any extra information or special instructions from their parents or guardians
- Parent/guardian’s signature.
You’ll likely be hosting a few different activities and trips, so it’s always a good idea to create a few different consent form examples so you have them to hand. You could have a specific school trip permission slip, one for sports day, and another more generic one.
Once you’re happy with your consent forms, you can save them as PDFs to make sure they retain their formatting across different devices. This makes them easy to share and sign.
Permission slip template example.
You don’t need to start from scratch when creating your letter of consent. You can download free editable permission slip templates below. Once you have them, easily adapt them to your needs and send to parents and guardians for them to fill out and sign electronically. No need to print or waste paper.
Why are permission slips important?
Permission slips play a crucial role in keeping students safe and parents informed. They ensure that students have the necessary consent to take part in school activities, while giving parents clear information about what their child will be doing.
They also allow schools to gather important medical or accessibility details—such as allergies, conditions, or special requirements—helping staff prepare appropriately and respond quickly in case of an emergency.
From an administrative standpoint, permission slips help teachers stay organised, reduce miscommunication, and keep essential information easily accessible when it’s needed most.
What are consent forms used for?
Consent forms can be used across a range of different trips and activities but, most commonly, they’re used for.
- School trips. So you can get the proper parental consent for students to take part in off-site visits and activities.
- Sports days. Even if sports day is at school, guardians still need to give the OK for their kids to participate.
- Extracurriculars. If students are taking part in physical activities or clubs, you’ll need to get the right permission.
- Medical authorisation. Parents sometimes need to provide permission and vital information for you to seek medical treatment on behalf their children.
- Photography and media consent. You’ll need to get permission if you plan on using any students’ photos online, in a school magazine, or on social media.
- Transport authorisation. If students need to travel anywhere for a school event, you’ll need to get parental approval for this, too.
Frequently asked questions.
Can a permission slip be signed electronically?
When do you need a permission slip?
Can permissions slips be digital?