From heritage attractions to marine conservation, national parks to film studios - meet the finalists transforming education through immersive, hands-on learning experiences that bring classroom subjects to life and inspire the next generation.
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.
The winner will be revealed at the School Travel Awards ceremony taking place at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on Friday 21st November.
You can read about our 2025 finalists below, which were nominated by EVCs and teachers.
The Auckland Project (Learning and Skills)
Set up in 2022, the team have big aspirations, not least to increase cultural capital and develop a sense of pride of place among children and young people in south west Durham and beyond.
There are five people in the Learning and Skills team: Gemma Scott (learning manager), Charlotte Foakes (learning contracts manager), Alanna Hatton (secondary learning officer), Georgia Hendry (primary and outdoor learning officer), Finlay Richards (secondary learning assistant).
They offer a range of immersive, multi-sensory and curriculum-linked workshops across their sites (Auckland Palace, the Faith Museum, the Mining Art Gallery, the Spanish Gallery, Auckland Deer Park) as well as through their outreach programme.
“Our whole school has benefited greatly from visits to The Auckland Project. Our Faith Museum visit enriched RE learning by engaging students with stories, practical resources, and artefacts that helped explore different religions.”
Cockton Hill Junior School
Sessions are suitable for children and young people aged 3-19+ and are delivered across 12 subjects, in addition to both careers and enrichment.
The Auckland Project has partnership agreements with schools across County Durham which they support in order to embed its offer across school life, even incorporating work experience opportunities.
They also offer ‘teacher surgeries’ in school, working with staff to develop and adapt sessions to meet the needs of teachers and students, including those with SEND.
New Forest National Park Authority, Education and Youth Team
Described as “enthusiastic and inclusive”, the curriculum-based workshops and fieldwork offered by the team “open the eyes of thousands of children to the environment outside of the classroom”.
Their mission is to inspire young people to connect with the natural environment and unique landscape of the New Forest. They also work to help young people recognise their role within the environment as ‘future custodians of the New Forest’, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to help preserve it.
There has been an education team at the New Forest National Park since 2006, after the New Forest was awarded National Park status. The team became the Education and Youth Team in 2020 and there are currently four members of staff within it who are supported by volunteers and the wider engagement team where capacity allows.
The education team at the New Forest National Park Authority work with a wide range of educational institutions - including primary, secondary, and specialist schools, as well as further and higher education providers - to design and deliver sessions tailored to the unique needs of each group.
“We’d love to come again. So impressed with Ella’s communication and paperwork prior to visit. Brilliant delivery on the day!”
Teacher, junior school
The majority of its programmes take place outdoors in the New Forest, allowing young people to explore a variety of habitats and ecosystems through immersive, real-world experiences. There is also in-school support, bringing elements of the forest into the classroom when appropriate.
Schools can receive pre-visit support, including site visits and planning discussions with lead teachers so the team gains a clear understanding of the groups’ specific needs and can co-design a session that aligns with their learning goals.
In addition to whole-class sessions, the team can also support targeted groups of students who face challenges in mainstream education and will benefit from time in nature. For these learners, there is a multi-session Junior Ranger Programme, which focuses on developing knowledge, skills, and awareness of the role of a New Forest Ranger. Participants have the opportunity to earn a Bronze-level certificate on completion of the programme.
To address any financial barriers to outdoor learning, the park authority provides a Travel Grant Scheme to help local schools cover transport costs, such as coach hire.
The Ocean Conservation Trust Learning Team (National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth)
Made up of seven people, the team supports teachers so they can incorporate pro-ocean education into their curricula and provide experiences that allow everyone the opportunity to “build a relationship with the ocean, regardless of their personal, economic, cultural and social circumstances”.
Operated by the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), the National Marine Aquarium (NMA) has three main areas of focus: conservation, education, and research of the marine environment.
Welcoming approximately 25,000 school visitors each year, the learning team offers a variety of activities delivered on-site at the aquarium along with a national outreach programme.
All sessions from the the OCT Learning Team are National Curriculum linked and delivered through the lens of ocean literacy. As well as offering an extensive core programme which covers different curriculum subjects, bespoke sessions can be tailored to meet learning outcomes from other curriculums, including the EYFS and further higher education programmes of study.
“The guided tours, which formed a core part of the VISTA experience, were delivered with such energy and knowledge that students were not only engaged but actively inspired to learn more.”
Abby Bartlett from Teignmouth Community School
Who is in the team?
Stu Higgs is a professionally trained youth worker, based at the National Marine Aquarium, where he is the schools engagement manager, on behalf of the Ocean Conservation Trust. He is passionate about connecting people to the ocean, promoting sustainable, pro-ocean practices, and developing meaningful interventions to create change.
Becky Dodds acts as the learning programme coordinator, ensuring the day-to-day operations of the learning team run smoothly. She combines her love of the marine world with a background in drama and scuba diving, to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.
Eloise Coldman is the learning programme’s schools administrator, communicating with visiting teachers from the booking process, through to post-visit evaluation and resource support. She utilises her theatre skills to provide additional engagement in the form of the OCT’s resident mermaid, Marina.
The learning team is also made up of three schools officers who deliver the core learning programme, as well as funded projects, teacher CPD and bespoke session design. The officers are: Jess Briggs, Georgia Wallis & Win Guy, who draw on a wealth of experience and a variety of backgrounds and skills, from geography and science teachers to the creative arts and nature-based engagements.
The final team member is Elspeth Shears, PSNMP project lead, coordinating the formal education offering of the country’s first ever National Marine Park. Elspeth works collaboratively with external partners across Plymouth to bring the ocean into the classroom of every school in the city.
Warner. Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter Learning Team
Nominating the team for this award, the teacher said: “They bend over backwards to support schools and learners… they make staff and students feel welcomed and valued.”
With a simple mission – to inspire the next generation of filmmakers – the team of five are dedicated to delivering high-quality, curriculum-linked learning experiences that inspire and engage students of all ages. As they put it, the ‘goal is to create inclusive, enriching experiences where every child feels like a VIP’.
The learning team has been in place since September 2012 and is comprised of five people, four of whom have Qualified Teacher Status, with previous teaching experience:
- Julie Green - education and learning Manager (strategic development of the education programme)
- Rebecca Fox - senior education facilitator (oversees day-to-day running of the education programme)
- Amreeka Parmar - education facilitators (delivers lessons, develops new content)
- Georgie-May Cleveland - education facilitators (delivers lessons, develops new content)
- Hope Kilbey-Hay - education assistant (supports the operational day-to-day running of the programme)
The attraction offers a diverse range of interactive lessons to schools and home educators, all taught by qualified and experienced teachers. These sessions are designed to complement classroom learning and bring subjects to life in a dynamic and memorable way. The learning team work with the filmmakers who brought the Harry Potter films to life, to ensure that lesson content is engaging and unique.
“Staff were very welcoming and happy to help the needs of all our children. This workshop was extremely engaging and enjoyable. The children loved learning about the costume distressing and exploring different techniques.”
Wynyard CofE Primary School
Each lesson is linked either to the National Curriculum or to exam board specifications and is also designed with the Gatsby benchmarks in mind, to support with linking curriculum learning to creative industry careers. Topics covered in the lessons include costume design, set design, screenplay writing and more.
Prior to each visit, the team contacts schools directly to understand and accommodate any specific needs or requirements, ensuring that each school’s visit is tailored to them and that every student feels welcomed and valued. For those unable to attend a lesson, the team has created a suite of online resources to ensure pre- and post-visit learning opportunities.
They also deliver free-of-charge outreach sessions within the local community, taking authentic Harry Potter props and costumes to local schools and charities who may not have had the opportunity to visit the Studio Tour.
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 21st 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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