School Travel Awards 2024: firm favourites and first-time winners recognised

Along with new categories, which included the Best Provision for SEND, there were several first-time winners who made a name for themselves through the biggest initiative to reward and celebrate the people, places and providers who create outstanding educational visits.

This year the Best School Tour Operator category was divided in two, helping to shine a spotlight on different operators and the amazing work they do. The Best School Tour Operator (Large) Award was presented to Travelbound, and the (Small/Medium) trophy went to Visions in Education. Both collected a School Travel Award for the first time.

The Best Provision for SEND category was won by London’s Science Museum, while first-time winners Chester Zoo and International Bomber Command Centre took the plaudits in the Best Wildlife Attraction and Education / Learning Team of the Year Awards respectively.

Who won at the 2024 School Travel Awards?

To see the full list of your 2024 winners, which included Snozone, Wicked the Musical and Imperial War Museum, London, click the button below…

2024 winners: The Full Results

There were was more to celebrate as LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort won Best Education Workshops, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter earned the Best UK Attraction accolade, and Cardiff’s Techniquest took home the Best Venue for STEM Learning trophy for a second time in as many years.

Rewarding special people and visits

As usual, there were two awards for schools and the people who work there: the ‘My Best School Trip’ Award, and School Trip Champion Award both come with a £2,000 prize to spend on a future educational visit.

Carisbrooke College (IWEF) on the Isle of Wight was revealed as the winner of this year’s ‘My Best School Trip’ Award. Teacher Joe Briscoe entered their Year 10/11 visit to Vietnam, linking to their GCSE history curriculum. Highlights included visits to two tunnel networks and American bases used during the conflict here.

The last category of the afternoon went to Glynis Pattison from Conyers School in Stockton-on-Tees. She was presented with the School Trip Champion Award which was created to acknowledge the important role teachers, EVCs and school staff play in organising trips that benefit learners and have a lasting impact.

Peter Carne OBE was the very first recipient of an Outstanding Contribution to Learning Outside the Classroom Award. Having contributed to the sector as a teacher and worked at various providers, Peter was project leader for the Learning Away initiative and highly involved in the creation of the LOtC Quality Badge and Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. 

An event bringing together a brilliant sector

The ceremony was attended by nearly 300 people, including professionals from across the school travel sector, teachers and school staff. In addition to a great lunch, there was a surprise from the cast of Six the Musical which took time out from the Vaudeville Theatre to wow guests with a performance from the hit show.

Guests were treated to a Winston Churchill look-a-like in the drinks reception, who then made a speech (obviously) prior to lunch to mark 80-years since D-Day.

School Travel Organiser publisher, Rob Yandell, who presented the ceremony along with Annabel Croft said: “Learning is one thing, but to really experience something you need to go beyond the school gates. We know that some still see school trips as an ‘add-on’ or an end of year treat. But the appreciation and awareness of how important learning outside the classroom is, and how it can impact young people, continues to grow.

“We are very proud to have created an awards initiative that supports this and allows the sector to celebrate and recognise the people, attractions and providers that make the magic happen.” 

A special thank you to our 2024 Awards Partners…