From a prehistoric cave in Devon to a nationally significant site in Staffordshire, find out about the four teams shortlisted for Education / Learning Team of the Year.
The Education / Learning Team of the Year is about recognising and rewarding the people at attractions and providers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to enriching young people’s learning experiences through innovative, curriculum-linked programmes that inspire and engage students across diverse subjects and age groups.
Part of the annual School Travel Awards programme, the winner will be announced at the special awards lunch and ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on Friday 20th November 2026.
Here are the 2026 finalists, which were nominated by EVCs and teachers…
Kents Cavern Education Team
The trio – Abbi, Emilia and Kevin – work together to look after everything from paperwork and admin through to caring, entertaining and educating their school groups.
Aiming to inspire creativity and sparking imaginations, educational visits have been developed in line with National Curriculum topics. The team are passionate about every child learning something new and to see them leave with a memory that will last a lifetime.
With a simple goal to teach children and adults alike about history, geology and the local geo-park, educational visits to Kents Cavern see students learn about the Stone Aged and how people worked as a team and as a tribe. Importantly, sessions have a focus on encouraging school groups to do the same.
During a school visit, learners can find out about the natural world around them; how important it is to care for our planet and the creatures that we share it with. The team help children and young people to conquer fears, bringing the cave to life so they are excited to see it.
“Your staff who led each group were incredible and really engaged the children throughout the informative sessions. All the learning links perfectly to what we will be doing at school and we will be referring back to all the great facts regularly.”
Exmouth Primary School
Describing each member as ‘tribe leader’, a class gets one of them for the entirety of their stay, hosting sit-down workshops, leading outdoor trails and much more.
From the moment the school arrives, the team welcome them to Kents Cavern with the tribe leader then starting the first session. The visits are tailored to the school’s needs and learning objectives, so it may involve hunting for artefacts, or heading on the woodland trail.
Maidstone Museum Learning Team
In place for 15 years, the team (currently of four) aims to inspire children and young people to want to find out more following learning sessions. They invite school groups to learn through ‘awe’ and ‘wonder’ through hands-on activities and sessions. In their words: “We give a snapshot that is designed to peak interest on different themes using artefacts, specimens and replicas.”
From 20 curriculum-linked workshops to craft activities and intriguing loan boxes, school groups have much to choose from and the team of four support teachers throughout each stage of their visit. This includes pre and post-visit learning activities and providing on-the-day support through welcome briefings, gallery guidance and workshops.
“The team are always friendly and welcoming, adapting to each class’s needs, and send additional activities for self led visits. . Our teachers use a lot of loans boxes too, with the teaching packs a great help when a new theme is being taught.”
St John’s Primary School
Topics include Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Romans, Local History and Prehistory and World War Two with each session giving pupils the chance to handle objects too. In addition, they provide 44 loan boxes covering a variety of themes which are designed to complement a visit to the museum along with a comprehensive teacher resource pack which helps to inspire young people and enrich learning back in the classroom.
Many of the loan boxes extend beyond themes represented in the galleries and have been developed in response to teacher feedback, helping address gaps in available classroom resources and providing access to high-quality objects and educational materials.
Learning and Participation Team at the National Memorial Arboretum
The team aims to empower every young person who visits the poignant attraction in Staffordshire to understand the meaning and importance of Remembrance.
Led by Rachel Smith (head of participation and learning), the other team members are: Jaime Seal – learning and families activities officer, Kelly Ward - learning and participation coordinator and Dawn Robinson – learning administrator. The team is supported by 20 dedicated volunteers.
They deliver curriculum-linked experiences exploring the stories of service, sacrifice and Remembrance. Through engaging, inclusive and thought-provoking learning experiences the staff connect with over 30,000 students on and off site every year.
In their words: “As custodians of the baton of Remembrance, we are committed to ensuring that every learner feels inspired to carry these stories and values forward, sharing them with others and helping to keep the legacy of those who served alive for generations to come.”
Their flagship offer is the Explorer Day programme, which immerses students in history through classroom learning and hands-on experiences within the Arboretum (which is changing its name to the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens this autumn). They’re also involved in a number of outreach projects that enable deeper engagement.
“We had such a terrific day with you all at the NMA for our Windrush Day, working with talented people and learning about inspirational stories. Thank you to you and all the team for a memorable day - staff, pupils and parents alike all thoroughly enjoyed the day.”
Four Oaks Primary School
In addition the team offers a range of free Learning Days throughout the year such as Holocaust Memorial Day and Exploring Pride Day. They also develop partnerships with schools through bespoke outreach projects that enable deeper engagement over an extended period.
Conservation Education at Whipsnade Zoo
The team of 12 work with schools to build a connection to nature and empower individuals to become active participants in helping it recover.
In their words, the aim is to “inspire, inform and empower people to protect and restore wildlife by developing the knowledge, skills, confidence and motivation needed to take positive action for nature”. They believe “that people and wildlife can thrive together, and that access to high-quality nature-based education should be a right, not a privilege for every young person.”
Supporting schools to take part in nature and conservation-focused visits, the team work with teachers, offering free pre-visits and resources to make sure they get the most out of a visit. Arranging individual online meetings, they’ll discuss plans and have dedicated booking staff to make the whole process as smooth as possible.
They also offer teacher professional learning programmes to enable teaching staff to confidently take learning beyond the classroom and into informal, nature-rich environments.
During a trip, curriculum and exam-spec linked workshops (ranging from EYFS through to FE and HE) can be delivered both indoors and outside, allowing students to see and learn from the natural world.
“Their groundbreaking Education Access Scheme has dismantled financial and geographical barriers, allowing our students from underserved communities to engage with endangered species through immersive, hands-on learning.”
School testimonial
Said to have a “visionary approach to biodiversity education”, the team also delivers a range of career skills opportunities to young people, helping them develop specific industry skills as well as transferable ones.
About the School Travel Awards
The winner of the Education / Learning Team of the Year Award will be revealed at the School Travel Awards ceremony on Friday 20th 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.
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