Planning overnight trips with secondary school students can be tricky. With so many elements to consider for residential trips for secondary schools, it’s ultimately down to you as a teacher to ensure your students have the best time during their school trip.
At PGL, we know all about what students love! We’ve been providing outdoor adventure trips for 65 years, so here are some top tips to make your overnight school trip a success.
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. 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.
At PGL, we take care of this for you! With so many exciting activities and free-time games for your students to join in with, we can work towards your learning objectives in a supportive environment.
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 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 evolve 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.
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!
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.
Book your residential school trip today!
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 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.
