The TripPA app is an invaluable time-saving tool for any teacher planning a school trip (sign up for updates about our launch here!), but as a teacher you’ll still need to find ways to keep those costs down in the current climate! Read on for tips on making school trips affordable for your school and parents.
Running a trip in the UK?
- Look in the local area – chances are, there’ll be great opportunities just a stone’s throw from your school. Look up local museums, historical sites and activity centres. They will likely have educational programmes, and it won’t cost much to get there. Don’t forget, there are many destinations which don’t charge school trips for entry, such as 400+ English Heritage sites.
- Plan well in advance – not only will you be offered better rates for some activities if booking further in advance, but you’ll also be able to spread the cost for parents over a longer period of time.
- Ask about educational or group rates – many providers and destinations will want to make school trips affordable by offering discounted rates for groups or educational visitors, so make sure to enquire!
- Avoid peak times – the summer term (particularly June and July), is by far the most popular time for school trips. We can understand why, but it’s often significantly cheaper to book educational visits in the winter months, so why not try booking your next trip in the Autumn or Spring terms?
- Avoid Monday to Friday for residentials – the majority of schools will book mid-week residential trips, so you’ll often find cheaper rates for stays over weekends. Even booking 2 or 3-night stays in the week can save, compared to the popular 4-nighter!
- Look for cheaper transport options – travel costs are going up quickly, and this can often be the biggest cost associated with school trips.
- Travel with another school – coach hire is expensive, but consider how you could reduce cost by booking your trip at the same time as a local school, and travelling together.
- Look for free or discounted public transport – various schemes operate which can help keep costs down, such as the TfL School Party Travel Scheme. If travelling with National Rail, make sure to look up discounts from the train operating company in your area.
Want some ideas for funding?
There are many funding schemes out there, often just a quick google search away. One of the more well-known of these is the Great British School Trip, but many others exist, such as the Alpkit Foundation and the City of London School Visits Fund. Make sure to research what is available to you in your area!
You could also raise funds from your own community!
- Empower the students to raise funds – as ever, the children are often the best source of ideas and energy, so get them involved. From raffles to cake bakes to sponsored events, there are so many possibilities!
- Get a message out to parents – you’ve got a great resource in the parent body, many of whom will be involved in businesses in the community who may be keen to help.
- Utilise Pupil Premium funds – this can be used for educational visits if available, so make sure to enquire.
Going further afield?
If you are planning a trip abroad, then the costs are likely to be much higher. But there are many ways to keep your visit affordable.
- Avoid the most popular destinations! Heading to New York is certainly a bucket-list trip for many, but if you head somewhere less visited you are going to save a lot.
- Stay a little further out – it’s always tempting to book accommodation right next to the places you want to visit, but it’ll often be twice the price. Depending on your destination and transport arrangements, look at places to stay which are a little further away. The coach journeys can often be the most relaxing part of the the trip for teachers!
- Travel by coach – if you’re heading to Europe, avoid the temptation to fly. Travelling by coach is often quicker than you think, and is always a lot cheaper.
- Plan and book early – it’s best to be thinking well ahead of time for overseas travel. You should start planning at least a year in advance if you want to lock in the best rates for transport and accommodation.
- Avoid the summer! I know we said this before, but this is even more important for foreign travel. Sure, it’s warm, but your trip will be significantly more expensive! If you can make it work, running an overseas trip in term-time will also often save quite a sum.
