The Education / Learning Team of the Year is an award to recognise staff and volunteers at attractions and providers who support school visits. Find out more about your 2024 finalists.
As usual, we have accepted nominations from teachers and EVCs for the Education / Learning Team of the Year category and the winner was announced at the School Travel Awards ceremony on Friday 29th November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Congratulations to the International Bomber Command Centre who topped this year’s category.
Read about this year’s shortlist below.
International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln (2024 winner)
Since opening in 2018, the learning team at the International Bomber Command Centre have educated children on the ethos of recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for those who served in Bomber Command and those affected on all sides during World War Two.
Made up of two members of staff, the team works alongside several volunteers who facilitate the guided tours and exhibition visits during school trips. The team’s aim is to engage children in the history of Bomber Command and enable them to develop their skills in historical enquiry through first-hand accounts, unique artefacts and activities.
They told us: “Consulting with school staff after each visit allows us to regularly evaluate our education offer and improve the activities and programmes we provide. As we have successfully engaged with many primary schools, we aim now to broaden our range of learners to include more secondary schools and wider community groups.”
“The children learned so much about the role of Bomber Command, we learned lots too! The volunteers were very knowledgeable and pitched the information perfectly.”
Scotter Primary School (December 2023)
From the initial enquiry, the team liaise with school staff on how a visit can support their learning objectives and enhance their World War Two studies, tailoring workshops around the objectives.
School staff are also invited for a pre-visit to familiarise themselves with the site; conduct additional risk assessments if required; reassure that all children’s needs are catered for and get a taste of what an IBCC school visit involves.
Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage), Warwickshire
The team recognise that an educational visit to Kenilworth Castle may be the first opportunity for some young people to explore a heritage site and so aim to ensure it’s an ‘outstanding and transformative learning experience’ for them.
They said: “We can support teachers to reinforce their student’s cultural capital and provide opportunities beyond the classroom, because we know that a trip to a heritage site can offer young people the chance to be inspired and involved in their local culture, history and community.”
A visit to Kenilworth Castle can cover a range of curriculum links with immersive KS2 and 3 expert-led sessions including role play, object handling and history detective skills.
The education team want pupils to use their imaginations and be inspired to find out more about the history of the fascinating site in Warwickshire.
On-hand to support teachers with everything from providing free planning visits to devising itineraries that meet learning objectives, the team at Kenilworth Castle also offer a free downloadable Teacher Kit with activities to enjoy at the venue or back in the classroom. These include historical information, sources and practical details to help teachers plan a memorable trip.
“Most of our students have never left the town they are from. For us getting the chance to visit a site like Kenilworth is eye opening, and an opportunity that has never been open to them.”
Teacher testimonial
Immersive Key Stage 2 and 3 expert-led sessions at the castle include role play, object handling and history detective skills while the KS4 Discovery Visits are designed to align with exam board specifications and provide opportunities for students to explore topics in a new way for memorable learning.
In addition, teachers can book onto CPD sessions to increase their confidence in organising educational visits.
The team also organises bespoke projects for local schools, regularly host school drama events, celebration picnics and student art exhibitions.
Royal Museums Greenwich, London
Made up of a team of six people, as well as a dedicated group of freelance learning facilitators, the learning team at Royal Museums Greenwich aim to ‘facilitate active learning where children and young people engage with objects and collections in immersive environments’.
Pupils are encouraged to investigate, collaborate and explore first-hand.
They use the museum sites and collections to support all learners to make connections between their own identities and the museum themes, regardless of background or learning needs. The facilitated curriculum-linked schools programme for primary, secondary and SEND learners develops skills in historical enquiry, critical thinking and creative engagement.
A school visit to the sites is said to ‘provide a unique learning experience that cannot be replicated in the classroom and leaves a lasting impression’.
“As always this was an outstanding session. The pupils benefited hugely from the opportunity to interrogate sources, both artefacts and documents, while the carefully crafted tasks supported their learning.”
Year 8 teacher, transatlantic enslavement enquiry day, autumn term 2023
Its unique sites (The National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, Cutty Sark and the Prince Phillip Maritime Collections Centre) means the team can cover a wide range of subjects and topics including art, geography, history, science and design technology.
Alongside the regular programme, they offer targeted schools partnerships and projects, work experience placements, teacher CPD throughout the year as well as an annual teachers’ evening.
Stratford Butterfly Farm, Warwickshire
Having been in place almost 40 years, the team at Stratford Butterfly Farm in Stratford-upon-Avon is now made up of ten, including six education officers who conduct the guided tours available to schools.
Its purpose is to educate the visiting public, especially school groups, and offer excellent opportunities for children of all ages and abilities to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly, tropical rainforest environments, the plants and animals that live within these habitats, and the need to conserve and protect them.
The school booking manager ensures that teachers are supported with their booking, all the way through from the initial enquiry to the day of the visit.
There is a dedicated website page for schools to help teachers and EVCs with their booking enquiry, planning and which also includes details of the tours the Butterfly Farm offers.
There are two tours for schools to choose from: Lifecycle of a Butterfly & Meet the Mini-Beast Tour and Discover The Maya & Meet the Mini-Beast Tour.
Each tour is led by an education officer starting with an introductory talk, followed by a 60-minute guided tour taking in all aspects of the Butterfly Farm, concentrating on the topic of choice.
“The visit greatly exceeded our expectations, and everyone had a fantastic time. Our guide, John, was absolutely brilliant with our group. He kept the children engaged and interested the entire time and had a wonderful manner with the children.”
Educational visit testimonial
About the School Travel Awards
The winner of the Education/Learning Team of the Year Award was revealed at the School Travel Awards ceremony on Friday 29th November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
Organised by School Travel Organiser magazine, the School Travel Awards is a unique annual initiative celebrating learning outside the classroom, that raises the profile and highlights the importance of school trips for children - with exciting opportunities for schools to also win big prizes.
To find out more click to schooltravelorganiser.com/awards.
Keep up to date with the awards and the best content from School Travel Organiser through the free ‘Schools Out’ newsletter. Find out how to subscribe here.
