Teachers have shared the positive impact that a ‘technology-free’ residential had on their pupils at Land & Wave in Dorset.
This moving video features interviews with children at Pakeman Primary School in north London about the impact the experience had on them.
Cirencester Deer Park School in Gloucestershire has seen some of its students experience their first ever residential as a result of funding from UKSA.
Grow24 is a cross-curricular competition aimed at primary students which focuses on their connection with nature and sustainability.
Outdoor education group, Inspiring Learning, has launched a new partnership with British Fencing to deliver fencing sessions across its 11 Kingswood sites which are designed specifically to build resilience among young people.
Katie Campbell, year lead and class teacher at Kelvin Grove Primary School, London, describes the impact a residential with Farms for City Children had on pupils.
The UK’s leading environmental education charity is celebrating its 80th anniversary having welcomed more than 3.7 million students through its doors.
Chief executive of The Outward Bound Trust, Martin Davidson, on why they’ve launched the Let Us Out campaign for residentials.
With over 45 years of experience, the Conway Centres are experts in providing unique residential visits for schools across the UK.
Outdoor adventure centre provider PGL will launch a Breakthrough Fund to give pupils the chance to benefit from residential outdoor learning trips, irrespective of their financial situation.
We hear from Hammersmith Academy about their transformative Key Stage 3 Outward Bound residential in the Lake District.
More than 200 young people joined the Protest in the Peaks calling for outdoor residentials to be made part of the school curriculum.
Summer Stays at the University of Edinburgh offers a campus lifestyle to educational and sports groups seeking facilities to sleep, eat, learn and train.
The educational charity has united with three politicians to make residential outdoor learning part of the curriculum across the UK.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited Woodrow High House, one of two London Youth residential centres, to meet with local school children as part of his patronage of the charity and to celebrate the importance of learning outside the classroom.
With four centres across North Wales and Cheshire, we look at why schools choose Conway Centres for making life-long memories with their pupils.
Here are nine popular overseas locations for schools which cover a wide variety of topics for all ages.
Students can stay at the converted police headquarters in North Yorkshire, reopened by education activity centre provider PGL.
The Garden Classroom shares how they brought together children from north east London for their Winter Residentials.
Outdoor residential provider Kingswood has launched a bursary to provide funded places on school trips for children from families who would not otherwise be able to cover costs.
The ground-breaking Generation Green project, launched by YHA to connect young people with nature, has led to the introduction of two experiences which immerse pupils in the natural world.
Education and travel provider, Voyager School Travel, is offering a French language immersion programme, which will see instructors travel across the Channel to inspire English students.
Royal Liberty School in Romford were keen to get travelling again after the last couple of years, so decided to arrange a cross-curricular school trip to Belgium. Here’s a round-up of their exciting experience.
Halsbury Travel is offering schools the opportunity to save money on residentials across the globe with a multi-trip loyalty scheme which offers larger savings the more trips you book.
Pupils will be able to experience a variety of both land and water-based activities across two residential centres on the Isle of Wight, thanks to a new partnership between UKSA and Inspiring Learning.
School tour operator WST has revealed a variety of adventure school trip packages which combine an activity-led residential, with the sights and attractions of the surrounding areas.
Outdoor education provider Inspiring Learning has announced that the Ultimate Adventure Centre (UAC) in Bideford has joined the group’s list of outdoor education campuses.
YHA (England & Wales) has fully reopened its network of youth hostels following the lifting of Covid restrictions and a grant of almost £1 million from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Activity provider and School Travel Awards winner Kingswood explains why now is the perfect moment to take learning outside the classroom.
Specialist education company Active Learning Group has announced its third centre, The Towers, which will offer a range of mountain-based activities and experiences for young people.
After Walsall Academy in Bloxwich won the ‘My Best School Trip’ Award in 2021, shadow headteacher Jon Clarke put the prize money to good use and ran another successful residential in the Lake District where a group of Year 8 students found a sense of achievement and awe about the ...
Andy Wright, headteacher at Bablake School in Coventry, explains how a residential experience motivated his students to push boundaries by trying new and challenging activities.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited YHA Grinton Lodge in his Yorkshire constituency to meet primary school pupils benefiting from a Generation Green-funded residential.
Active Learning Centre will open its second outdoor site in Pembrokeshire in the autumn of 2022, bringing coastal and woodland residential learning experiences to children.
We asked specialist residential centres, school tour operators and attractions what their hopes are for the future as the UK emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Robert McIntosh shares his top tips for booking a successful ski trip. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of organising one for your students, read on.
Tile Cross Academy in Birmingham shares its recent experience at the UKSA’s Sea.Change Foundation course on the Isle of Wight.
Leading activity provider Kingswood is inviting schools to make an enquiry and be entered into a draw which will see one in 25 schools enjoying a residential for free, as a way of saying “welcome back”.
Let’s face it, 2020-2021 has been a hard time for residentials, for schools and residential centres. The good news is that many teachers are looking ahead to 2022-2023 and planning fantastic trips for their students.
A week away from home on a residential stay during the summer holidays could help children feel more confident about the prospect of transitioning from primary to secondary school in the autumn, says outdoor education provider Kingswood.
MP Gavin Williamson has highlighted the “real value” of school residentials when quizzed in the House of Commons about the education and school travel sector.
Some of our readers have been in touch to tell us how they see school visits and learning outside the classroom as key to re-engaging children after the last year.
Updated guidance from the Department for Education from Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap gives schools the go-ahead to take school groups on trips abroad that have previously been deferred - and they can also plan new international visits.
’The Bioasis’ is described as a new post-apocalyptic adventure, set in 2074 in a secret location in the south west of England, giving schools across the country the chance to escape the classroom.
Residential visits can go ahead in England with schools now able to book future trips, the Government has confirmed.
Residential providers have said they are gearing up to welcome school groups back from 17th May but are awaiting further guidance from the Department for Education.
Outdoor adventure specialists, Inspiring Learning, are encouraging more children to engage in outdoor activities as a way of helping to reduce the nation’s rising stress levels.
Arthur Wood, deputy headteacher of Ashbridge Independent School in Preston, Lancashire, tells us about the trips his school has planned this year and why we must pull together to support the outdoor education sector.
The Department for Education (DfE) updated the guidance for England stating that day visits can restart from stage two of the roadmap, no earlier than 12th April, with residentials resuming no sooner than 17th May.
In the letter sent to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, outdoor education experts, celebrities and others highlight the serious impact of the pandemic on the industry.
With the future looking more promising for school trips to resume, teachers have spoken about how school visits and learning outside the classroom can help children after a disjointed time away.
British explorer Ed Stafford has spoken about why it is vital that children experience adventure outdoors and reflects on his own school trips as a youngster.
A new 136-bed accommodation centre has been approved in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, enabling an additional 3,000 children to visit UKSA (United Kingdom Sailing Academy) every year.
Boris Johnson said he “would have thought” that outdoor education should be able to open at the same time as schools return on 8th March.
Activity providers, like Cumulus Outdoors and many others, have had to adapt to changing government advice at short notice. Director of the provider, Tom Campbell-Hill, shares their approach and plans for this year.
Mark Castle, chief executive of the Field Studies Council, expands on his own childhood trip to the Mull of Galloway in Scotland.
We hear from Clare French, headteacher of Kendall CE Primary School in Colchester, about her residential visit to Wicken House when she was a youngster and why it had such a long-lasting impact.
The CEO of the UK Sailing Academy (UKSA), Ben Willows, writes about the impact of the ban on residentials and why it’s crucial there is a plan for reopening.
The Department for Education has concluded its review into the guidance against overnight educational visits with a possibility of them resuming from Easter.
24 targeted Key Stage 4 pupils from Wallsall Academy took part in this residential at the Outward Bound Trust’s Ullswater Centre in March 2020.
Teachers, parents and people from across the outdoor education sector are being encouraged to ask their local MPs to help back the campaign to save the sector.
The Field Studies Council (FSC) has said that thousands of students could become part of a lost generation of learners unless England and Wales follow Scotland’s lead in financially supporting outdoor learning centres.
Teachers, providers, TV personalities and MPs continue to add their voices to the campaigns to #SaveOurSchoolTrips and #saveoutdoored, and we banged the drum through our Oct / Nov edition.
Adventurers Kate Humble and Paul Rose have given their support to school visits as a generation of young people risk missing out on experiences.
Louise Edwards, manager at Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development (SOLD), on converting residentials and a refocus on outdoor learning.
The UK Outdoors group is writing to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to highlight the impact of the ongoing ban on overnight educational visits.
The School Travel Forum (STF) has launched the #SaveOurSchoolTrips campaign urging teachers and others to add their support in helping the school travel sector.
A programme of digital fieldwork courses to support teachers and students is being launched by outdoor education charity, the Field Studies Council (FSC).
After the coronavirus pandemic brought school trips to an abrupt halt in March 2020, school tour operator Halsbury Travel explains what to expect in 2020/21.
Looking ahead, Spain ticks all the boxes and more when it comes to immersive cross-curricular school trips. Here’s why.
School Travel Forum has commissioned a new report, ‘In Safe Hands’, which will outline the protocols needed to be put in place by schools and tour providers to ensure pupils and teachers can travel with confidence when the time is right.
An online petition is calling for teachers and school trip providers’ support to put pressure on the Government to allow residentials to restart.
The Field Studies Council’s (FSC) chief executive has written to the Prime Minister asking him to rethink school guidance for the autumn term and to consider allowing overnight residential trips.
Wayne Norrie, chief executive of Greenwood Academies Trust, explains why they’re committed to giving the children access to outdoor learning and residential visits as soon as they can.
A number of providers and associations in the school travel sector have asked the Department for Education to allow residential trips to resume from the autumn term.
Jon Clarke, shadow headteacher of Learning Away Champion School Walsall Academy, reflects on the last 12 months and how things have changed.
A coalition of not-for-profit school residential and educational providers has said more needs to be done to ensure that outdoor learning isn’t forgotten about.
Essex Outdoors has been offering pupils an activity-fuelled escape from the classroom for more than 50 years, remaining popular with teachers across the UK. Here’s how the team can offer you an exhilarating school trip.
Jon Clarke, shadow headteacher at Walsall Academy, reflects on an Outward Bound winter residential in January, challenging his pupils’ physical and mental strength while powering through Storm Brendan.
Based at FSC Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland, the latest course from the Field Studies Council is aimed at pupils in higher education.
The professor encouraged teachers to push the ‘wonder’ of the outdoors while speaking at a Field Studies Council (FSC) conference.
Improved wellbeing, motivation and engagement are just some of the findings from the study, conducted by the University of Cumbria.
There’s never been a better time to start planning a residential trip for your students, but with so much to consider, where do you start? Here are some handy tips and essential advice from those in the know - centres & providers - to help you along the way.
The YHA has announced it has opened two new hostels in Liverpool and Newcastle, allowing pupils to stay overnight at an affordable price.
Essex Outdoors prides itself on making sure that all its school groups have amazing experiences and develop life-long memories whilst staying at its centres.
You’ve been on a fantastic school trip but back in the classroom it’s soon forgotten…sound familiar? Peter Carne, Learning Away Ambassador, looks at why it’s essential to evaluate your residentials, how to do it, and how you can use your analysis.
The Blenheim Estate has linked up with The Bushcraft Company to offer pupils three to five-day residential camping experiences in Oxfordshire.
David Czerwinski, schools programmes team leader at outdoor residential and activity provider, Kingswood on how to ease the pressure with residentials.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has handed over his patronage of The Outward Bound Trust after 65 years of service.
After being voted number one school in Surrey, Shannon Clark spoke to St John’s C of E Primary School’s head teacher Mark Richards to find out what part learning outside the classroom had in their transformational journey.
Selected Field Studies Council (FSC) centres are offering Primary schools the chance to give their pupils a wild adventure, in real environments, this year on its new residential activity school trips.
Our Lady’s Catholic High School in Preston sent a group of Year 9 pupils on a residential to the Outward Bound Trust’s outdoor education centre.
Oaker Wood is a highlight for Year 6 at the Wyche CE Primary School in Malvern.
Kim Somerville on some of the School Travel Awards finalists who embrace opportunities.
A “wild camp”, cooking over fire, using axes to chop wood and a veto on mobile phones, enabled a group of students to connect with nature and each other.
Upland Primary School in Bexleyheath won last year’s ‘My Best School Trip’ Award. Headteacher Beth McKenzie reports back on what they did with the £1,500 prize money.
Keith Browning, head of Braeside Education Centre in Devizes, Wiltshire, speaks about how residentials are even more important for Primary-age pupils.
Teacher John Dabell on residential as a rite of passage.
Learning education and adventure provider, Inspiring Learning, has acquired Skern Lodge in Devon, promising investment in facilities and activities on offer.
He’s head of Scout Adventures, and the new chairman of the Learning Away Consortium. Asa Gurden tells us how he got involved and why the Brilliant Residentials campaign is so important.
Jonathan Whitwell joined Moorside Primary School in Lancaster five years ago as deputy headteacher and Year 6 teacher.
The Outward Bound Trust has revealed that in 2017, 80% of its educational participants were given funding in order to help them pay for their trip.
Circle of Life Rediscovery camps offered the opportunity for participants from Tiffins School in London to camp overnight in a woodland away from home, for some it was the first time.
Barry Cook, Year 5 teacher and PE and outdoor learning lead at Buckland Primary, talks to STO about the importance of teaching kids outside of the classroom.
Many students say that residentials are the most memorable experience of their time at school. But how often do we hear about the many positive impacts they have on the adults participating? Peter Carne, the national adviser for Learning Away, describes some of the benefits of taking part in a residential for teachers and other staff in schools.
Jamie Walls, Product Development Manager of Youth Hostel Association (YHA) shares with us his top tips for getting the most out of your next school trip.
After leaving university Mary Driver initially went to the William Ransom School for two weeks as a supply teacher - and has now been there for 36 years.
We talk to Marina Robb, director of educational organisation at Circle of Life Rediscovery, who says that outdoor learning provides life changing experiences.
Primary school teachers and outdoor education coordinators were inspired at the Learning Beyond the Classroom Conference.
We look at ways to develop spoken and written English in Primary aged pupils through learning outside the classroom.
In Year 6, children from Harwell Primary School have a week’s residential stay at Yenworthy Lodge, an outdoor activities centre set in six acres of woodland within the Exmoor National Park in Devon.
The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) has a variety of hostels across the UK and provides different packages for outdoor learning experiences.
The outdoor learning organisation has a number of teacher and educational leader-based events coming up this year, which provide those with the skills to carry out good LOtC practise with their schools.
Mount Cook Adventure Centre, a centre for activity trips and residentials, has unveiled Derbyshire’s first rooftop zip wire which will officially open on 7th May.
Residential organisation, Kingswood, has revealed its £1million investment in Grosvenor Hall adventure centre in Ashford, Kent.
To mark National Experience Week this week, we take a look at some of the most treasured experiences school pupils can take away from school travel.
This summer, Rock UK Adventure Centres will open its brand new outdoor activity centre in Wales, taking its total number of centres up to four.
School Travel Organiser looks at different ways to get pupils interested in Physical Education, from specialist museums to sporting tours.
Dan Sayers, headteacher of Independent School St Hilda’s Primary School in Harpenden, shares his passion for school trips and learning outside the classroom.
Campaigning group, Learning Away, has revealed a new set of ‘Brilliant Residentials’ Continued Professional Development (CPD) materials available to teachers.
Residential organisation, Conway Centres, has revealed images of a recent school trip which took place during the 'beast from the east' as it's becoming known.
The results of a six-year research study into the impact of school residentials were unveiled at an event at the National Geographical Society in London. STO was there to hear all about it.
Making a splash - in some cases for the very first time - resulted in a group of Grimsby students returning to the classroom brimming with new-found confidence.
Television presenter Kate Humble has been announced as a key note speaker at this year’s conference which aims to inspire outdoor learning.
A survey commissioned by the Bohunt Education Trust (BET) has revealed that people want a greater focus on outdoor learning for schoolchildren.
A new campaign called Every Child Should has been launched in the UK and aims to promote making school trips, residentials and travel accessible to all children.
Surrey Wildlife Trust has been awarded the LOtC Quality Badge for its new outdoor education centre at Nower Wood.
Following a successful judging day held in London, five finalists have been selected for this year’s ‘My Best School Trip’ Award.
YHA’s brand new flagship Youth Hostel in Northumberland National Park is now taking bookings.
A recent study, carried out by Learning Away, has revealed that far too many children are missing out on potentially life-changing residential experiences.
Campaigning group, Learning Away, has launched its new campaign, #WinterResidentials, which will encourage more life-changing experiences for young people.
The winners of last year’s ‘My Best School Trip’ Award have spent the prize money on two trips to Eskdale Youth Hostel… yes, two!
Learning Away will launch a #WinterResidentials campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of residentials during the winter months.
STO finds out about Bishop's Blue Coat CoE High School's annual trip to Battlefield Live in Knutsford.
Activity company, Manor Adventure, has added a new sports centre to its list with the Norfolk Lakes Adventure Centre.
Record numbers of children are now developing short sightedness; teachers have got more reason than ever before to get their pupils outside.
STO talks to James, a Year 12 student, about the impact outdoor education has had on his life.
STO finds out about Arvon, a company that offers residentials to help pupils advance their Creative Writing skills.
School Travel Organiser takes a look at some of the benefits of residential trips and in particular Kingswood, a residential organisation located at ten different sites, which offers school groups a range of activities to support learning outside the classroom.
Butlin’s has entered the educational market by offering tailor-made, residential beachside breaks to schools.
Up to 16 new lodges will be available for school groups to stay in next year at Warwick Castle.