5 steps to planning a meaningful and memorable school trip

28 November 2016

School trips can be a great way to improve the learning experience of your classroom. For many students, who may not usually have the opportunity to visit new and

unfamiliar places, a trip can improve confidence and self-esteem, inspire new aspirations, improve social skills, and broaden their understanding of the world. They also provide teachers a great way to re-engage a class when the routine of the term starts to slow things down a bit.

In fact, because our brains highlight anything that is new and different, a school trip will naturally put your students in a state that is optimal for learning.

For this reason, it’s vital that you make the most of the opportunity, plan in advance and create a trip that is meaningful, memorable, and of course,

educational.

Here are 5 steps to planning a meaningful and memorable school trip.

1. Give the people what they want

Do you want to know the best way to create a trip that students will care about?

Ask them what they want!

You can survey students directly via a form such as Google forms or Survey Monkey or you can simply ask for a show of hands in class. This way you know you’re choosing a trip that has a lot of support, and the fact that they’ve had some influence over the decision will always help peak their interest.

Student support will also assist with administrative approval – which is why it’s good to track their responses.

You can also survey parents to make sure that they’re comfortable with the theme of the trip and that it is financially viable.

2. Plan with purpose

Make sure you plan in a way that makes sure the trip will run smoothly.

This means that you should develop an itinerary that is to be printed and handed out to all parents and students. Along with this itinerary, you should include a packing checklist to be given at least a week before the trip, so parents have time to shop if they don’t have all the items needed.

You should also include a list of safety procedures, as well as expectations for both educational outcomes and the behaviour of students on the trip.

3. Work with an educational tour provider

If you have the means, you can work with an educational tour provider. Typically they are specialists with a knowledge and passion for school tours, which can help you with the planning stage of your trip.

They should be able to offer you trip ideas, assist you in working within a budget, and ensure safety and support on your trip.

4. Be able to explain the educational value of your tour

Being able to link the tour to specific goals for the students is important for everyone involved. It will help you best structure the trip, as well as making it easier for you to communicate with your peers and get through the approval process smoothly.

Also, it will make students see purpose in the experience, which will lead to a more engaged and well-behaved cohort.

5. Make sure you have the time and resources to run the trip

Finally, be realistic about the time and resources that you and the school have to put towards this trip.

Plan with other teachers, and set clear roles and responsibilities, so that the effort is shared and everyone knows what their job is. In this instance, it’s great to look for enthusiastic parent volunteers who can help you with organization and tasks.

 

Are you looking for a minibus for your next trip? Contact us today and work with a company that specialises in minibuses for schools, universities, colleges and other educational institutions.

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