School trips to Los Angeles

VIP Warner Bros Studio Tour

Step aboard a VIP cart and enjoy this truly fascinating behind-the-scenes visit led by a knowledgeable guide. See external sets from TV shows and movies, such as Spiderman. Venture onto the popular The Big Bang Theory sitcom set and learn how it is created. Take a peek behind-the-scenes in ‘The Mill’ where sets are constructed. Find out about sound effect creation and see props and costumes up close. We highly recommend this visit, and can organise customised tours to your exact preferences. Stage 48: Script to Screen – opened in July 2015 following a major expansion, this is an innovative new addition to the Studio Tour. Your students will have the unique opportunity to explore the full film and television production process – from the earliest scripts and casting sessions to the final touches in post-production and the glory of awards season, each component is represented step-by-step throughout the purpose-built soundstage.

Universal studios & studio Tour

Thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk. Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience. Go behind-the-scenes on the legendary Studio Tour to explore Hollywood’s most famous backlot in the world’s largest working movie studio. Visit 13 city blocks on four acres of historic studio lot in the largest set construction project in studio history, built with creative consultation from Steven Spielberg himself. Then face heartpounding rides and shows that put you inside some of the world’s biggest movies.

Sony Pictures Studio

This walking tour provides a realistic, day-to-day perspective of how the industry works. You’ll walk around famous film sets and learn how ‘Foley Artists’ produce sound effects. See backdrops being created and learn how they are used. Step inside the Jeopardy game show set. You might even stumble upon a stunt man in action!

Paramount Studio Tours

Take a guided tour of Paramount Studios’ backlot, by tram and on foot. The tour takes a full two hours, and merely scratches the surface of the numerous buildings and sound stages that make up this 62-acre sprawling studio.

New York Film Academy Workshops

Experience the most intensive filmmaking workshops at New York Film Academy. Our students often choose to learn digital filmmaking, producing, screenwriting, 3D Animation and much more from some of the best in the world.

Grammy Museum

A self-guided museum tour immerses students in a cutting-edge experience – complete with interactive exhibits, films and artefacts designed to explore the historical, cultural and social context of music. Upon entering the museum, students are engaged as they learn about the creative process and the art and technology of recorded sound. Workshops are also available.

The Getty Center

This free museum presents changing exhibitions from its collection of drawings, manuscripts and photographs against a backdrop of dramatic architecture and tranquil gardens, with breathtaking views.

Hollywood Boulevard

Dolby Theatre Tour -The ‘Home of the Academy Awards®’! See an Oscar® statuette, and find out where your favourite celebrities sat during this year’s ceremony.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre - You will be taken inside this historic theatre and will learn about its history and the premieres that have been held here.

Walk of Fame -Visit this world famous sidewalk that’s paved with thousands of stars, handprints and footprints.

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

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 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

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

View our essential guide to a successful school trip here.

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.

Watch our short Locate My Trip video here.

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - 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

We've created a range of free geography resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!

Take a look at our downloadable posters here.