Planning an overnight school trip can be both exciting and daunting, especially if it’s your first time organising one. These trips offer students the chance to develop independence, build confidence, and learn new skills outside the classroom, but making them a success requires careful preparation.
From choosing the right activities to setting expectations with parents and students, there are plenty of factors to consider. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps to ensure your trip runs smoothly and your students get the most out of the experience.
Why Are Overnight School Trips Important for Students?
Overnight school trips offer students far more than just a change of scenery, they provide valuable learning experiences that help with personal growth, social development, and academic engagement. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Building Independence – Staying away from home encourages students to take responsibility for themselves, from organising their belongings to managing their daily routines.
- Developing Confidence – Taking part in new activities and overcoming challenges helps students believe in their own abilities.
- Enhancing Social Skills – Spending extended time with their peers in a new environment strengthens friendships, encourages teamwork, and helps students learn how to support one another.
- Learning Outside the Classroom – Many trips are designed to complement classroom learning, allowing students to engage with subjects like history, geography, and science in a hands-on way.
- Resilience and Problem-Solving – Whether it’s working through a team challenge or adapting to unexpected situations, overnight trips help students develop critical thinking and perseverance.
- Creating Lasting Memories – For many students, school trips are among the highlights of their school years. The experiences they gain can stay with them long after they return to the classroom.
By planning a well-structured and engaging trip, teachers can help students gain confidence, learn important life skills, and make the most of their time away from home.
Tips to Make Your Overnight School Trip a Success
It’s easy to get caught up in all the details of planning an overnight school trip, but focusing on the core elements can make a huge difference. Here are some practical tips to ensure your trip is enjoyable and beneficial for your students, with plenty of fun memories to take home!
Ensure an action-packed itinerary
It’s vital that you make the most of your time when on a school trip. So, think about the learning outcomes you’d like for your students before you arrive. Whether it’s learning the importance of building character or mastering their outdoor skills with bushcraft. This means your students will have adventure-filled days with opportunities to gain new skills, bond as a group and benefit from being outside of the classroom.
Share your plans with parents
For maximum attendance, it’s always best to let parents know about the school trip with plenty of time to prepare. Parents want to know what their children will be doing and what they’ll gain from going on the trip.
When you book a PGL trip, you’ll be provided with all the information you’ll need for parents so they can see what their children will be doing day to day. We have every detail of what’s included on trips to our centres on our website, including the menus, activities that students can participate in and the facilities available on-site.
Try something new
If you often travel to the same place with students, why not try something new? The unexpected and unknown can be exciting for students; taking your students somewhere new can inspire them in different ways and have benefits that can be seen back in the classroom.
Our PGL centres offer a unique school trip experience, with the opportunity to try new games and activities, curriculum-linked and fun courses for secondary and primary school groups, and inspiring locations.
Consider what skills you want your students to develop
It’s key that you consider what skills you want your students to develop. Certain trips may be better than others when it comes to improving specific skills for your students. Do you want to build their character and independence skills or focus on a range of social and critical thinking skills?
The activities available at our centres develop many essential skills for students, such as leadership, problem-solving and communication skills, all of which are helpful when returning to the classroom. Take a look at our guide to high school team building.
Make Trips Relevant to Classroom Teaching
Make the most of the trip by linking activities to subjects your students are studying. Whether it’s geography, history, or science, real-world learning helps reinforce classroom material and encourages deeper understanding.
At PGL, many of our subject specific trips are linked to the curriculum, making it easier for you to connect the trip to your student’s current studies and deepen their understanding of key subjects.
Provide packing tips for your students
Wherever you’re off with your students, make sure to prepare them for the changeable weather and nature of the trip. If you plan on providing them with the full PGL experience, then encourage them to bring clothes for an adventure!
Check out our kit lists before you travel!
Discuss Rules and Expectations
Before the trip, set clear rules and expectations with your students. This ensures that everyone understands the behaviour required and can focus on enjoying the trip safely.
Involving students in creating group agreements encourages responsibility and helps them take ownership of their actions. Clear communication about safety and behaviour ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Support Student Well-Being and Manage Homesickness
Some students may feel anxious or homesick, which is completely normal. To help, consider using buddy systems to offer support and ensure no one feels isolated.
Plan some quiet time, reflection activities, or journaling to help students process their feelings. Teachers should also make time to check in with any students who seem to be struggling and provide reassurance when needed.
Safety and Risk Management
Safety is paramount when planning an overnight trip. Make sure to conduct risk assessments and have emergency plans in place for any unforeseen situations.
PGL makes safety a priority, with comprehensive risk assessments, emergency procedures, and staff trained in first aid to ensure your students’ safety at all times.
Encourage Post-Trip Reflection and Learning
After the trip, allow students to reflect on their experiences. This can be done through group discussions, creating a trip diary, or even preparing a presentation to share what they learned.
Following up with post-trip activities is a great way to reinforce the learning and skills developed during the trip and encourage students to reflect on their growth.
Have fun!
Perhaps the biggest tip of them all, have fun! A school trip should allow students to have a fantastic time with friends while learning more about topics and developing personal skills.
Our centres and school trips are designed for your students, with a multitude of activities and challenges for them to enjoy, offering tangible learning outcomes to support your teaching back at school.
FAQs About Planning an Overnight School Trip
Is it good to keep in contact with parents during the overnight trip?
It’s a good idea to provide parents with a general update, such as a message from the school or a short post on the school’s communication platform (while following safeguarding guidelines). However, frequent updates can sometimes make homesickness worse for students. Only contact parents directly if needed, such as for medical reasons.
How can I manage group behaviour during the trip?
Setting clear expectations before the trip helps, as does reinforcing positive behaviour with small rewards or praise. Group activities and team-building exercises can also encourage cooperation and reduce conflicts.
What if a student feels homesick?
Reassure them that it’s normal and keep them engaged in activities. Pairing them with a buddy or giving them a small responsibility can help. If homesickness persists, a quiet chat with a teacher or a bit of downtime might help them settle.
How can I ensure all students feel included?
Make sure activities are accessible for all students, including those with additional needs. Speak with students and parents beforehand about any concerns. Encouraging teamwork and mixing groups can also help ensure that no one feels left out.
Book Your Residential Trip With PGL
Planning overnight trips with secondary school students can be difficult, but we hope to have solved any of your concerns with these tips.
Residentials at one of our activity centres are the perfect way to help grow your students’ characters and skills, but most importantly, they provide the space for your students to explore, enjoy time with friends and have fun! Explore our range of residential trips for secondary schools & outdoor school trips.
At PGL, we have a comprehensive range of programmes, locations and activities to enjoy, so get in touch today to discuss your next school adventure trip.
