What are the benefits of a school trip for secondary schools?
Higher engagement in class
Secondary school trips have many academic benefits. They can bring subjects to life, sparking a genuine interest and curiosity in your students and leading to higher engagement when you're back in the classroom. And, as all teachers know, better engagement can lead to higher grades in exams.
Plus, sparking an interest in a particular topic could persuade students to pursue the subject at GCSE or A-Level. It may even push them towards a related career.
Practical experience of the subject
Secondary school trips also help to provide students with practical experiences that they can draw upon in their exams, helping them to achieve those higher grades. So, school trips for secondary students really can help them to achieve more in their exams.
If you are looking to give your students a pre-exam boost, you might want to consider a school trip that will help them to grasp a particularly difficult topic.
For example, if you’re a geography teacher, perhaps you want your students to develop their understanding of plate tectonics – in which case, a school trip to a destination such as Iceland, the Azores or Naples and Sorrento might be the right choice for you.
And if you’re a history teacher, perhaps you want your students to deepen their understanding of the political, social and economic contexts in which Hitler and the Nazis rose to power in Germany in the 1930s – in this case, a school trip to Munich or Berlin would work well.
Increase confidence and revise key skills
Alternatively, you might prefer to visit a destination that allows your students to cover a range of curriculum-linked topics, giving them more of a general lift ahead of their exams by increasing their confidence and revising critical skills and knowledge.
Students studying French, German, or Spanish, for example, could visit almost anywhere in France, Germany or Spain and the opportunity to explore the culture through their language skills would give them a massive boost in confidence.
And many of our destinations also offer the opportunity to add lessons in closed groups at a specialist language school, with educational workshops that can be as general or specific as you need them to meet your learning objectives.
Promote independence and interpersonal skills
For many students, a secondary school trip abroad could be the first time they've been abroad without their parents. This experience will promote independence, as they must take responsibility for themselves.
And, school trips can help a secondary school group to boost their interpersonal skills. They'll meet new people from other cultures and develop their relationships with the other students and the accompanying staff, which can help to create a better learning environment once you're back in the classroom.
If you want to run a secondary school trip that helps to promote independence and interpersonal skills, and encourages better relationships between students and their teachers, then one of our school residential trips could be ideal.
Your students could try various water sports, such as kayaking, raft building and stand-up paddle boarding in the Lake District, at the former Olympic canoeing venue in Lee Valley, or the National Water Sports Centre in Holme Pierrepont near Nottingham.
Or you could head to the West Midlands, where you can explore Warwick Castle, go skiing or snowboarding, tackle some teambuilding activities at Conkers, or get the adrenaline pumping at Alton Towers!
Improve their understanding of the world
Another important benefit of secondary school trips that really can't be overstated is that they help students to better understand the wider world around them. They provide students with the opportunity to experience other cultures and try new things, making them more empathetic and better global citizens.
We offer a great variety of cultural trips designed to provide your secondary students with these formative cultural experiences. Just as with all our school trips, whether you choose to explore buzzing Barcelona, dazzling Dubai or spectacular Sri Lanka, we’ll tailor your itinerary to suit your specific requirements and learning objectives.
And if you want your students to spend their trip learning about the issues affecting people and the environment in your destination and, crucially, have them participate in voluntary work to help, then our expeditions are ideal.
Head to India, where your students can teach in a local school or help out at a café run by burns victims. Or visit Borneo, where they can support the work to protect orangutans. Whatever you choose to do, these experiences will stay with them forever.
Secondary school trip ideas
Whether you're after a trip to support the educational demands of the national curriculum, or you want to inspire a sense of adventure and exploration in your student group, we've got plenty of ideas for you.
Run a residential trip
A residential trip takes students out of their comfort zones and allows them to experience new challenges and activities. School residential weeks are often one of the most highly-anticipated trips of the year for teachers and students alike, due to the action-packed fun on offer.
Learn more about our residential trips.
Run a trip tailored to your subject
Depending on your subject, there are locations all over the world that can really boost learning outside the classroom.
We have a range of trips suited to almost every subject imaginable. If you can't find yours in our list, contact our team and we'll organise a bespoke trip.
Run a ski trip
Does your secondary school run an annual ski trip?
Ski trips are one of the most fun and exciting activities available. A truly unforgettable experience, the memories, friendships and skills developed on a ski trip can stay with students long after they've left school.
Learn more about our ski trips.
Visit the Christmas markets
If you're after a shorter trip that allows students to break up the long Autumn term, then a trip to one of the stunning Christmas markets across Europe may be ideal.
These trips are good for language groups, as students have the opportunity to practice their skills in real-life settings.
Keeping it affordable
Perhaps you're looking for a more affordable and accessible trip to suit a wider range of students.
If so, destinations in the UK or mainland Europe (particularly France, Belgium, and the Netherlands) are your best bet. These locations can be reached by coach, which is significantly less expensive than destinations that require flights.
See our range of European school trips.
Not sure what secondary school trip is best for your group?
Please don't hesitate to contact our school travel experts who will be very pleased to help. We're here to understand your objectives and arrange a trip that works for you. Get in touch today.