Primary School Trips
Our primary school trips have been expertly designed to support and enhance KS2 learning. We provide engaging educational visits and offer safe, secure primary school trip accommodation that introduces primary school pupils to the world outside the classroom.
If you’re a teacher considering a primary school trip for school years 3-6, then we can help plan the perfect itinerary to enthuse your pupils and meet your learning objectives. We provide a fantastic selection of primary school trip ideas in the UK and overseas.
Our Primary school trip destinations
Across the UK and Europe, we offer fabulous residential primary school trips to help prepare KS2 pupils for their SATs and transition into secondary school. Our primary school trips can be tailor-made to suit your curriculum requirements.
Explore key subjects in London including WWII & the Battle of Britain, Crime & Punishment in Britain and The Tudors.
Or take your pupils on a cultural adventure to France, inspire them with brand new surroundings and challenge them with fun-filled educational trip activities. Primary school trips help pupils build interpersonal skills and create an excellent teacher-student bond.
Our full range of primary school trip destinations include:
- London
- York
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- North Wales
- Dorset & Bournemouth
- Stratford-upon Avon
- Isle of Wight
- Edinburgh
- Opal Coast
- Paris
- Rhineland
- Barcelona
- Catalonia
- Cantabria
Why residential trips for primary school pupils are important
Residential primary school trips can often be the first occasion a child has spent time away from home. Breaking routine and classroom norms, pupils will experience unique learning opportunities, discover new and exciting adventures, and enhance perspectives. This will help shape their young minds as they progress through their education.
A primary school trip helps to build the confidence of pupils, and teachers can watch their growth and enthusiasm increase too. Educational benefits can go far beyond the duration of the trip, helping to stimulate new ideas and engage students to apply their learning within the confines of the classroom.
We offer residential primary school trips that enable KS2 pupils to understand the world around them. Our primary school trips can be tailor-made to suit your curriculum requirements. You’ll benefit from our great FREE educational resources for you to use with your pupils throughout your trip, as well as pre and post-tour tasks that strengthen the educational value of your trip both before and after your visit.
For a little classroom more inspiration, download our language classroom posters here.
Explore our KS2 trip destinations
London Primary School Trips
London Primary School Trips
A day out in London will enable your primary school group to cover many curriculum topics in a short space of time. We can create an itinerary around any theme or curriculum topic, from Tudors and Victorians to Science and Nature to ensure that your students get the most out of their trips.
Cornwall
Cornwall
A safe yet inspirational destination for your KS2 groups, Cornwall offers an abundance of natural attractions, excursions and history to keep pupils entertained and engaged. Cornwall is the perfect location for primary school trips.
Learn more about our school trips to Cornwall here
Dorset & Bournemouth
Dorset & Bournemouth
The many educational experiences on offer in Dorset and Bournemouth will encourage your school groups to take a strong interest in conservation issues.
Learn more about our primary school trips to Dorset & Bournemouth here
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Streets are steeped in history, attractions offer the chance to experience an earthquake, and you can even explore the famous castle.
Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The area offers a range of other educational visits covering topics such as rainforest environments and archaeological ruins.
Learn more about our school trips to the Isle of Wight here
Liverpool
Liverpool
Exciting things have been happening in Liverpool over recent years, and this vibrant city offers lots to see and do. We can work closely with you to create curriculum-based activity days for your pupils to enjoy.
Learn more about our school trips to Liverpool here
Manchester
Manchester
This vibrant city offers lots to see and do. Major touring musicals stop off at the Palace Theatre, MediaCity UK continues to grow, and the exciting tour of Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground is still our most popular visit.
North Wales
North Wales
Llandudno and North Wales offer great opportunities to take in some of Wales’ top attractions.
Learn more about our primary school trips to North Wales here
Stratford
Stratford
Explore Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare which provides a look back to life of a historic Tudor world. Enjoy a range of primary educational visits, including an RSC theatre workshop, town walks and Tudor workshops.
Learn more about our primary school trips to Stratford Upon Avon here
Barcelona & Catalonia
Barcelona & Catalonia
Base your group on the coast in safe, secure accommodation that’s within easy reach of Barcelona. Engage your KS2 primary groups with new surroundings and outdoor activities. If you choose to book with us, we provide risk assessments and a complimentary preview trip.
Learn more about our trips to Barcelona & Catalonia here
Cantabria
Cantabria
Bring your pupils closer to Spanish life, history, culture and language. Here you can engage in outdoor adventure activities, whilst learning about Spanish culture outside of the classroom environment. Residential school trips have been proven to help to build children's confidence and lasting memories.
Dutch Coast
Dutch Coast
The ideal destination for your first Primary School tour abroad!
Learn more about our primary school trips to the Dutch coast here
Normandy
Normandy
Take your pupils to the heart of everyday French life.
Learn more about our primary school trips to Normandy here
Opal Coast, Northern France
Opal Coast, Northern France
The Opal Coast is easily accessible and close to channel ports, whilst offering fantastic visits which will introduce your pupils to a new culture, and fascinate them with an environment so different to their own!
Learn more about our primary school trips to the Opal Coast, Northern France here
Paris
Paris
An experience here is one that will both expand your pupils’ cultural awareness and encourage group bonding too!
Rhineland
Rhineland
The region offers a wide range of visits that give an insight into German life and a safe and welcoming environment within which to practise language skills.
Learn more about our primary school trips to the Rhineland here
York & Yorkshire Coast
York & Yorkshire Coast
If you’re planning a primary school trip in the UK, then York and the Yorkshire coast are two of our most popular destinations for primary school groups, so we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment!
Learn more about our trips to York & Yorkshire Coast here
Our most popular primary school trip destinations...
Our most popular primary school trip destinations...
London
There’s nothing quite like your first big city experience! Our very own capital city is an exciting and inspiring destination for primary school children, with endless opportunities for learning, fun and group bonding. Whether you are planning a farewell tour, a reward trip or simply to give your pupils the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom, we can create a tour to London suit your needs and support your curriculum.
Opal Coast, Northern France
For a fun first experience overseas in a safe and secure environment, a trip to the Opal Coast in Northern France staying at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem is the ideal destination. A fantastic introduction to life in France, here your pupils will experience a new culture and lifestyle so different to their own. If you’re seeking to challenge and inspire your group in the practical application of French language skills, our French Language Enrichment Experience can be included in your school trip too.
Paris
Explore the wonders of the French capital to inspire and enthuse your pupils. Paris is one of the most popular trips for our primary school groups. You can combine the delicious cuisine and stunning sights, with visits to some of the most iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. It also provides an opportunity for students to get ahead in their studies by learning a little French along the way. As your pupils get ready for the next chapter in their educational journey, Paris makes for the perfect end of Year 6 trip.
Take a look at one of our school trip experiences
NST, the number one choice for primary school residential trips
NST has worked alongside thousands of teachers, like you, to create unique primary school trip experiences and memories that last a lifetime. That’s why so many primary schools choose to travel with us each and every year.
We’ll work closely with you to bring your school trip ideas to life and with our unrivalled knowledge of destinations across the UK and Europe, together with years of experience in planning unforgettable primary school trips, we’ll help you to create an experience that’s as unique as your group itself.
Planning your first school trip?
If you're planning your first school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process.
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Additional support, resources & information
Tour planning service
Tour planning service
With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you:
- Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly
- Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings
- Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals
You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.
FREE school trip promotion pack
FREE school trip promotion pack
We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of:
- Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete
- A3 posters to promote your trip around school
- PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs
- Parents’ leaflets covering how NST manage safety, financial protection and details of our travel insurance
- Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip
For selected destinations, we’ll provide a trip launch web page using video footage and imagery. This web page is provided by a weblink and can be shared with pupils and parents in many ways.
Risk assessment support including preview visits
Risk assessment support including preview visits
Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.
Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip.
Planning first school trip
Planning first school trip
Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process.
If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way.
Our helpful guide covers the following:
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track.
With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online organiser - designed to help busy teachers like you.
With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too.
What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go.
Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here.
FREE classroom resources
Free classroom resources
We've created a range of free geography resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!
Speak to one of our school travel experts
Our team of school travel experts have unrivalled destination knowledge and experience so they can help to bring your tour ideas to life and might even suggest options you hadn’t already thought of too! So get in touch today and we'll help to create a bespoke, budget-friendly tour itinerary to meet your specific learning requirements.
Why choose NST...
Here's why thousands of teachers choose NST each year...
- Unrivalled knowledge
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
With our online school trip organiser, travel app, FREE classroom posters and trip launch resources to support your in-school promotion.
- Risk assessment guidance
Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip.
- FREE group leader inspection visits
We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
For every school trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions.
- Value for money
We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.
- Peace of mind
Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.
- More than 50 years’ experience
With over 50 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
Looking for protection on your next school trip?
Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.
Don’t forget – if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial.
Financial protection from the moment you book
NST are fully bonded:
- ABTA
- ATOL
- IATA
Managing safety on school trips
For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:
- 24-hour emergency cover
- Audited accommodation & transport
- Excursions & school visit assessment
- Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning
We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured
The Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.
