The Educator Magazine U.K. Jan-April 2024 issue - Magazine - Page 28
How-to-guide
for teachers:
Planning a successful
Study Trip in 2024
Spokesperson: Kate Erskine, Head of Diversity Study Trips
CLICK HERE
http://www.diversitystudytrips.co.uk/
Benefits of a successful study trip, set the scene
Educational trips can be what many students look forward to the most
in their time in academia, as learning can be translated from the
classroom into real life. Not only can it help young people discover a
new passion, but it can also create lifelong bonds between students
who experience new parts of the world together. This increases
‘cultural capital’, puts learning into context, and can harbour a love for
learning that many students may have struggled to find post-pandemic.
Planning a study trip can be an overwhelmingly large undertaking for
teachers, so Diversity Study Trips has compiled their best guidance on
how to put together a successful and engaging trip.
STEP 1 - Speak to the sector
experts first
Step 3 - Get the most value out of
your budget
How do you choose the most enriching and
valuable study trip for your students which
is within your budget limitations? You speak
to the experts. Not just experts in the travel
sector, but also former teachers who know
your industry well.
Especially now, schools are wanting to get
the most amount of value out of every trip.
That’s why coming up with a realistic budget
is a crucial step to planning a successful
study trip. The size of the Diversity Study
Trips team means that every school will
have allocated a designated ‘Study Trip
Expert’ who can tailor suggestions and trip
specifications to any budget constraints and
requirements.
Diversity Study Trips has one of the largest
study trip support teams in the UK, with
40 specialists on hand to help, including
former teachers. Speaking to experts can
streamline the process, from understanding
your trip aims and constraints, to selecting
a destination that aligns with your learning
objectives, sorting logistical arrangements,
and arranging the best value activities
for students when overseas. Starting this
process early sets the stage for a smoother,
hassle-free, and memorable experience for
everyone involved.
Step 2 - Involve the students when
setting your objectives
Defining the objectives for a study trip can
feel like a daunting task at first. Whether the
trip is subject-specific, to develop cultural
awareness, or to develop interpersonal skills,
every experience should be valuable to all
students involved. So, how do you ensure it’s
inclusive?
Involving students in the planning is a great
way to ensure they take ownership of their
learning experience and that it aligns with
their academic interests and goals. This is a
sure-fire way of fostering a sense of
responsibility and teamwork before you set
foot on the plane. Not only will students
input fresh ideas, but the benefits of this
tactic will be extended to the teachers, who
will have a more engaged group throughout
the trip.
This tailored approach and level of faceto-face support means that every school
budget up and down the country will have a
number of study trip options. Not only does
it make this process easier for teachers, but
it ensures students get the most amount of
value out of every trip.
Step 4 - Prioritise safeguarding at
all time
Schools will always prioritise the safety of
its students and, with overseas trips, this
becomes even more important. Obtaining
necessary permissions from parents and
guardians, and a list of emergency contacts,
will be high-up on the to-do list. Having a
trusted travel partner with you along this
journey should help ease any concerns from
students, parents, and guardians. Safety and
wellbeing should always be a priority.
That’s why Diversity Study Trips will always
have a member of the team available to
discuss its industry leading Safe Hands
policy with teachers and decision-makers
at schools. This covers vetting and auditing
suppliers, travel insurance, and any other
necessary precautions for the chosen
destination. Furthermore, the trip
management portal ensures that group
leaders for the trip have 24/7 access to the
details, documents, and contact details for
the trip, now available on-the-go via a new
app.
Step 5 - Ensure the trip runs
smoothly when overseas
Now that the essentials are covered, we can
turn our attention to the successful running
of the study trip. Build a fully immersive
trip itinerary by including talks, workshops,
themed guided tours, visits to attractions
and local businesses, museum entry or
classes such as pizza making.
Alongside providing the essentials, the Study
Trip Expert will offer a variety of cultural
and educational activities for your students,
utilising its extensive network of trusted
suppliers. Whether at the planning phase,
or on the trip itself, Diversity Study Trips
can take care of all the elements to give you
peace of mind of having one trusted contact
for the full itinerary.
Step 6 - Make time to reflect after
your trip
Following the success of a study trip,
gathering feedback from students, teachers
and parents is crucial. Assessing the trip
in relation to your objectives, and the
feedback given, can help to put steps in
place to ensure the success of future trips.
Planning an educational trip can be a
stressful time for teachers - but it doesn’t
have to be. This step by step guide is just
a starting point. Diversity Study Trips will
always make time to discuss your needs and
limitations to ensure every student can
access the same opportunities learning outside the classroom.