The Cost of School Trips

As a parent or teacher, how do you gauge the value of a school trip, especially when cost is a major factor and there are several trips for pupils to choose from in the year?

Sometimes the benefits are most apparent when children come back from the trip. They might have learnt to sail or overcome their fear of heights; they might return with significantly improved language skills or with more self-confidence and self-esteem - or all of the above!

Seeing the results

Many learning outcomes are readily apparent once children are back in school; improved vocabulary and speaking skills following a trip to France, for example, or a better grasp of European history having visited the D-day landing beaches. Other benefits, such as enhanced decision-making, confidence and motivation for learning, may only reveal themselves in the longer-term, as children draw upon their school trip experience as they progress through school.

Teachers need to define clear learning outcomes, ensure parents are aware of the long-term as well as the short-term benefits and be reassured that the provider can deliver the staff, the expertise and the means to achieve the desired outcomes.

Look at the basics

If you're looking for an all-inclusive trip, you can make a fair assessment of value for money by examining the fundamentals. Are food and accommodation included? Will there be enough activities to keep children engaged all day? And, most importantly, are there risk assessments and safety management systems in place to ensure everything is being done to make the environment as safe as possible for everyone?

Quality accreditation

A useful guide to all this is provided by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC). Their Quality Badge is awarded to companies who meet the standards of provision laid down by the council and serves as a convenient starting point for anyone wishing to organise a school trip.

You won't be surprised to learn that PGL has been awarded the LOtC Quality Badge and that all our school trips in the UK and abroad focus on providing children with the best experiences and learning outcomes.

As we enter our 60th year of operation we're as determined as ever to provide the best value for money.

Find out more about our adventure and study courses in the UK, France and Spain.

by PGL Travel.