Presented to the educational establishment that can demonstrate a commitment to providing students with a range of subject specific educational visits in order to further their learning experience.
2026 Winner: Stockport Academy, Greater Manchester
Stockport Academy delivers an ambitious, inclusive programme of educational visits that broaden horizons and build cultural capital for all students, many of whom face significant disadvantage. With 886 students participating in 181 trips—averaging five per student—these experiences are fully embedded within the curriculum and aligned with its Character Education framework and Future Me goals.
The academy offers a diverse programme including French Alps ski trips, Anglesey and Peak District residentials, visits to the Royal Opera House and Oxford University, and industry experiences with local employers. Students also engage in creative workshops, fieldwork, and leadership challenges such as Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. These opportunities develop resilience, confidence, creativity, and aspiration.
Educational visits are central to the academy’s ethos, ensuring every student can access transformative experiences, broaden perspectives, and pursue ambitious, successful futures regardless of background.
Commended
Queen's Park Primary School, London
Westminster Children’s University (WCU) is an exemplary enrichment programme based in Westminster, London, supporting children aged 7–14 across communities facing significant socio-economic disadvantage. Established in response to local need, and now operating in a third of Westminster primary schools, WCU broadens horizons through high-quality extracurricular experiences beyond the classroom.
Since its launch in 2017, WCU has supported over 2,900 children to access cultural and educational opportunities. In 2025 alone, more than 1,500 students benefited from free access to seasonal events, visits to iconic London landmarks, and theatre and musical performances—opportunities many would otherwise be unable to access.
Through hands-on, real-world learning, WCU fosters curiosity, creativity, and confidence, while supporting personal and academic development. Its programme is rooted in equity, ensuring all children can experience enriching opportunities regardless of background WCU remains committed to expanding its reach and empowering young learners to become curious, confident, and aspirational individuals.
Laurel Park School, London
Laurel Park School is driven by a mission to ensure personal circumstances never limit achievement. Since earning a “Good” Ofsted rating in 2024, we have prioritised cultural capital through our inclusive “Trips for All” programme. Every student is guaranteed two curriculum-embedded trips annually, ensuring equal access to enriching experiences—from Whipsnade Zoo to the BFI Southbank and the London Eye. These opportunities build confidence, knowledge, and belonging. Our international expeditions, including Rome and Cambodia, further develop global awareness, resilience, and ambition. “Trips for All” is central to our ethos: empowering every student through real-world learning and ensuring the world truly becomes their classroom.
St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School, Bristol
St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School (SMRT), in central Bristol, treats educational visits as a structured part of learning, combining local curriculum fieldwork with residential and international opportunities. One clear example of successful local provision is evidenced externally by Bristol Packet Boats: on its “Educational Cruises and Tours” page, SMRT states that a Floating Harbour trip “fits nicely with ‘urban change in the UK’,” and highlights the skipper’s commentary as particularly useful for pupils learning about Bristol’s urban change and harbour development.
SMRT also delivers sustained outdoor education through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, offering Bronze (Year 9), Silver (Year 10) and Gold (Year 12), with an expedition component that requires teams to plan, train and complete a supervised journey—an established model for safe, progressive residential experience. The school’s published calendar/newsletters show multi-day expedition delivery in practice (for example, a scheduled Gold DofE “Expedition Day” across several days in April 2025).
Beyond the UK, the Diocese of Bristol reported grant-funded reciprocal visits connected to SMRT’s link school in Ikoba, Uganda, including cultural events—evidence of partnership-based educational exchange.
Kingswood Academy, Hull
Kingswood Academy in Hull runs a broad programme of educational visits designed to broaden students’ cultural, academic and personal experiences beyond the classroom. The academy’s “Core Trips Offer” ensures students in Years 7–10 participate in a range of experiences, such as visits to the Magna Science Adventure Centre, where interactive exhibits help contextualise science and technology learning in engaging, hands-on ways. These trips are fully funded by the academy to ensure inclusive participation and help students connect classroom learning with real-world exploration.
In addition to curriculum-linked activities, Kingswood Academy also organises national and international trips for older students. These include annual visits to London with museum and cultural stops, and trips to Verona, Italy (to support English and Food Technology departments) and ski trips in Europe — all aimed at enhancing global awareness, cultural understanding and interpersonal skills.
Further evidence of enriching educational experiences comes from recent news coverage of Kingswood pupils visiting Apple UK headquarters in London, where students gained insights into technology industry roles and workplace environments — an experience described as “an experience like no other.”
Archbishop Temple Church of England High School, Preston
Archbishop Temple Church of England High School in Preston, Lancashire runs a broad programme of educational trips and visits to support students’ learning beyond the classroom. The school’s official trips page shows a wide range of domestic, European and international visits that link directly to the curriculum and enrichment goals. These include annual or regular experiences such as geography trips to Iceland, history visits to Krakow/Auschwitz in Poland, PE and language trips to the Ardeche (France) and ski trips in Pila (Italy), as well as periodic business and cultural visits to New York (USA). Closer to home, students take part in trips to London and Chester Zoo, theatre excursions (e.g., Wicked and Blood Brothers), and other subject-related outings that enhance learning and cultural engagement. Many of these trips are structured with phased payment plans to support family budgeting.
External inspection evidence supports the value of such visits: the most recent Ofsted curriculum review highlighted that pupils have taken advantage of international trips to New York to learn about business and trips to Iceland to deepen geographical knowledge, illustrating how the school’s programme contributes to academic understanding and personal development.
These experiences are designed to broaden pupils’ cultural perspectives, reinforce subject knowledge, and foster confidence and independence outside the classroom — aligning with the school’s values of Faith, Nurture and Service.
2025 Winner: Castledon School, Essex
Castledon School, a specialist SEND provision, offers transformative educational visits that equip students with essential life skills and confidence. Their residential and cultural programmes focus on fostering independence, social connections, and lifelong learning. Students develop key skills such as budgeting, cooking, travel proficiency, and safety awareness. Trips range from adventurous getaways to cultural experiences like skiing in Italy, water sports at Bradwell-on-Sea, and performances at the O2 Arena. Visits to Barcelona and the National Opera House broaden students’ horizons. The school ensures accessibility through financial support and parental collaboration.
Commended
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dorset
Queen Elizabeth's School in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, offers students exceptional educational visits that enrich their learning experiences. Recently, Year 12 geography students embarked on a field trip to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, allowing them to observe geological formations firsthand. An unforgettable visit to Cambodia gave students a unique opportunity to experience a different culture. During the trip, students engaged in community work, helping to build essential infrastructure and support local schools. They explored Cambodia’s rich history, including visits to the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex and the Killing Fields, deepening their understanding of global history and resilience.
Stoke by Nayland School, Essex
Stoke by Nayland Church of England Primary School's notable excursion involved Key Stage 2 pupils visiting Snape Maltings Concert Hall in Suffolk. During this trip, students explored the life and works of composer Benjamin Britten, participated in a backstage tour, engaged in a songwriting workshop, and met a professional musician. This comprehensive experience not only deepened their understanding of music and history but also earned them a nationally recognized Arts Award. Such initiatives exemplify the school's commitment to providing diverse and impactful learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
Salusbury Primary School, London
As part of its commitment to expanding the international curriculum, Salusbury Primary School in Brent organised an enriching trip for Year 5 pupils to Inegol, in the Bursa region of Turkey. The visit aimed to strengthen the school’s long-standing connection with the students of Çayakköy School, fostering cultural exchange and global awareness. To fully immerse the children in the local culture, the itinerary included visits to historic mosques, the breathtaking Oylat Caves and waterfall, the Silk Bazaar, and the Inegol Museum, where they learned about the area’s rich history, particularly its renowned furniture-making industry.
Carisbrooke College, Isle of Wight
Carisbrooke College, located on the Isle of Wight, offers a variety of enriching educational trips that enhance students’ learning beyond the classroom. These trips provide hands-on experiences that support subjects such as history, geography, and science. Notable excursions include visits to historical sites like Carisbrooke Castle, where students explore the island’s medieval heritage. The college was recently recognised for a recent journey to Vietnam for GCSE history students, allowing them to gain firsthand insights into the Vietnam War. These carefully planned experiences help students develop a deeper understanding of their subjects while fostering independence and cultural awareness.
St. Peter's CE Primary School, Merseyside
Educational visits for the 2024-2025 academic year at St. Peter's Primary School are designed to enrich students' learning experiences. These excursions include trips to local museums, parks, and historical sites, enhancing understanding in subjects such as history and science. Additionally, the school hosts external experts—authors, scientists, and community leaders—who conduct interactive workshops and presentations, bringing real-world insights directly into the classroom. These activities not only align with the curriculum but also foster a love for learning and personal growth among students.