School Travel Awards: Category Guide

Where have you visited with your students that has brought history or heritage to life? Whether it’s a trip to a castle, cathedral, stately home, historic property, museum, open-air heritage site or natural heritage attraction, tell us about where you would recommend that promotes history learning and understanding in an engaging way.

Getting children active, and engaging them in sport, is so important; which sports venue stood out for you and why should they be recognised? This could be a skiing venue, stadium tour, or an actual sporting event or sports museum.

What better than an exciting trip to the West End or perhaps a theatre near your school? How about a theatrical show or performance at an arena? Did the production excite, inspire and entertain, and was it well directed with a message that pupils could relate to? Did it tie in with a subject and lesson plan? Were you able to take part in related workshops?

The UK is home to a wealth of attractions and destinations that are perfect for school trips. Where have you taken a school group to that has stood out? Consider the attraction itself, the educational value as well as the all-important facilities and support you received from staff.

With more and more schools making short haul trips to Europe and long-haul trips worldwide, the choice and opportunity for exciting educational visits continues to grow. What has delivered for you when it comes to learning outside the classroom beyond the UK? It could be a specific country / destination you have visited, or a particular attraction that made a huge impact on the students and staff.

What attractions, venues and experiences offer great support and opportunities for learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)? It could be additional communication needs to meet the requirements of the school group, or good access for pupils with mobility issues. Some children may benefit from more variety when it comes to sensory stimulation. What and where has helped meet your requirements before and during a visit, whether it’s for an individual pupil or a group of children requiring support and consideration?

Whether in the UK or overseas, museums are a cornerstone of learning outside the classroom. Where should be recognised as offering an outstanding visit, plus pre and post visit assistance and learning links for schools?

Workshops provide good quality, fun and interactive learning for pupils while out on school trips. There are many inspiring sessions on offer at venues across the UK and at attractions and destinations overseas but where provides the best in your view?

This award seeks to reward the education/learning team whose commitment and imagination has delivered when it comes to learning outside the classroom. We’re looking for a team of people big or small, whose collective inspiration has led to fantastic provision and great support as well as excellent outcomes for school groups. We’ll be inviting nominations from teachers as well as from staff at providers (although not the team themselves). Read more about this category here.

There’s no better way to immerse students in STEM (Science, Technology, English & Maths) than getting them outside the classroom. We’re looking for the best interactive, engaging and exciting places that have delivered when it comes to this important area of learning.

The nature of Geography learning lends itself to the outdoors and we all have fond memories of our field trips at school – but which particular venue, attraction or site have you visited that has made a lasting impression? Consider the educational outcomes, as well as how engaging the experience was for staff and students.

It might be an attraction linked to literature, a play, drama experience or a museum or library that stands out for trips linked to English. Consider where has engaged your class and deserves recognition.

There’s no better way to bring teaching to life than engaging children with the world of wildlife. Have you been to a fantastic zoo, aquarium, wildlife / safari park, wetland centre, animal sanctuary or even a petting zoo or farm that has ticked all the boxes? Tell us about the star attraction. 

Reliability, creativity, due diligence and of course safety are just some of the things, teachers expect from school tour operators. Who do you trust to help organise successful trips? Think about the selection of trips and experiences on offer, as well as the service provided before, during and after the trip. Plus, was it value for money and did it achieve what you wanted from it? 

After Round 1 nominations close, this category is split into ‘Small/Medium’ and ‘Large’ when finalists are shortlisted for Round 2 voting. We determine whether companies fall into the ‘Small/Medium’ or ‘Large’ category by their annual turnover.

What is a tour operator?

‘A tour operator is a person or company that thinks up ideas for tours, researches the ideas, designs the tour itinerary and content, contracts the services needed for the tour, accommodation, transport, guides, tour leaders or resort reps and then markets the resultant package. They sell the package either directly to the consumer or use the services of a travel agent to do so. A tour operator sells the product that they themselves create. They do not sell anybody else’s packages, they sell only their own creations.

A tour operator is what in law is referred to as a “principal”, meaning they take responsibility for the package that they create and cover that liability with (usually) an ATOL licence and / or some form of bonding to ensure that the consumer gets their money back if the tour operator fails, or is flown home if they are abroad when a tour operator fails.’

(Extract from ‘The Difference Between Tour Operators & Travel Agents’ by Derek Moore.)

Residential trips can offer amazing experiences for children and teachers. With safety a huge factor, the trip should also deliver great value, facilities and above all, an enriching experience for the children and staff. What stands out from your previous trips to locations in the UK?

This category is open to schools and academies across KS1-4 and recognises educational visits that have been well planned and really stood out for the impact they have had on the children and staff involved.

It could be a day trip, UK residential or overseas adventure that has provided a rich experience, achieved a range of objectives and helped embed learning back in school.

We want teachers, EVCs or school staff to tell us all about the trip, and include comments from those involved, including from the students who took part. Schools that have previously entered, say the process itself is very positive and a good way to include pupils in considering the value of the experience they have had.

Entries are shortlisted with the finalists judged by a panel of experts. Schools chosen as finalists are invited to the awards ceremony as guests of School Travel Organiser.

You can find out more about this award here.

This category shines a spotlight on teachers, EVCs and school staff for the important role they play in organising trips that help pupils benefit from learning outside the classroom.

But more than this, it’s about recognising unsung heroes, those who go the extra mile, for the time and effort put in to creating visits and experiences that enhance learning and the building of essential life skills.

We know that so many people in schools and academies champion the value of learning outside the classroom. These people are vital and this award is for them.

Finalists are always featured in School Travel Organiser magazine and on our website, and invited to the five-star ceremony as our guests.

The winner of the award scoops £2,000 for their school to spend on a future educational visit. 

Read more about this category here.