Thinking of changing your school trip provider?

We get it, it's easy to use the same school trip provider every year. They know what you want from your trip, are used to accommodating a group of your size and you’ve probably built up a relationship with them over the years.

However, sometimes change is good.

Perhaps you’ve just taken on a new role and want to mix things up. Or maybe you’re simply looking to inject more fun into the trips that your school offers its students. Whatever the reason, there are a few things to consider if you’re looking to switch to a different provider:

What accreditations does the provider have?

The accreditations that a school trip provider holds is very important. They not only prove that the provider is well equipped to be delivering school trips, but that in most cases, they have passed a robust assessment designed to ensure that they are meeting schools’ learning and risk management needs. Some to look out for include; Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC), The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) and the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL).

What experience does the company have?

There are so many school trip providers out there, all with varying degrees of experience. It may seem obvious, but it’s good to choose a provider that has been operating for a number of years. They’ll have the necessary experience and expertise when it comes to planning the trip, as well as delivering it. Make sure that you’re able to schedule a site visit as this will usually help to give you an idea of how well established the business is and if they’re equipped enough to accommodate your group. Look for (or even request) testimonials from their past clients. If they’ve been delivering school trips for long enough, they’ll have an abundance and will happily provide you with them

What kind of support will the company provide?

Once you’ve ensured that the new provider is well established and holds the necessary accreditations, you’ll want to look into the kind of support they can provide you with when planning your trip. Will you have a dedicated point of contact from enquiry through to execution? Are they able to provide you with detailed itineraries, kit lists, site maps and risk assessments? Are there procedures in place for when you need to make a last-minute change to your trip due to the weather? All obvious points but things that can sometimes be overlooked. Tip: Always try to find the company’s FAQ page on their website before enquiring to help answer any initial questions you may have.

Founded in 2003, New Forest Activities are experts in delivering adventure school trips in the great outdoors. We hold the above (and more) accreditations and are really proud of our status as The New Forest’s biggest outdoor activity provider. We can deliver standalone activities, day trips and multi-activity packages that are designed to educate outside the classroom and inspire children to try more, do more and achieve more – regardless of academic or physical ability. Talk to a member of our team today or download a brochure to find out what we can offer for your next school trip.

We can deliver standalone activities, day trips and multi activity packages that are designed to educate outside the classroom and inspire children to try more, do more and achieve more – regardless of academic or physical ability.