Working on Top School Trips, two things become clear.
Firstly, students can make magical memories and learning breakthroughs during even the smallest of outings, as well as on grand adventures overseas. Secondly, what underpins everything is the work that goes into choosing, budgeting for and planning each trip.
From safeguarding concerns to visa worries, the administrative effort and mental load are both immense. So, all of you who have poured your hearts, minds and free time into planning the perfect trip for your students really need to take a bow.
In this issue, our contributors offer some great advice on how to safely reduce much of the effort and worry involved in trip planning – whether by harnessing more efficient processes and tech, or bringing in the experts.
On page 12, Adam Connolly shares a raft of invaluable advice on how to cut admin stress. Meanwhile, on page 26, Richard Weremiuk explores how GPS trackers can help you balance student safety and independence during Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.
We always enjoy reading about the amazing experiences students have had on trips, and on page 48, Nikki Ball recounts a successful and hugely rewarding eco-project in Greece.
Closer to home, Kate Morgan explains how observing primates in captivity can provide a living window into behaviour, relationships and the evolutionary roots of what it means to be human (p39). Biology connects with psychology, environmental science intersects with ethics, and evolutionary history suddenly feels tangible.
And bringing learning to life is really what school trips are all about, isn’t it, so we hope you find plenty of inspiration within these pages to do just that for your young learners.
Happy travels!
The Top School Trips team
