First Education & School Travel is the UK’s leading school tour operator, providing all-inclusive residential school trip packages, including coach travel, accommodation, full board meals & activity programme from outdoor to educational.
London, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire, North West, North East
Unit 5, Petre Court, Petre Rd, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington BB5 5HY
MONTHS OPEN
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
DAYS OPEN
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
AGE GROUPs
PreSchool, 5 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years, 14 to 16 years, College, University
Listed under: Accommodation & Residential| Archaeology| Archery| Bus Tours| Bushcraft| City Tours| Crafts| Curriculum Subject / Activity Type| Educational Tours| Environmental Studies| Field Studies| Field Study Centres| Museums| Orienteering| Outdoor Education| Outdoor Pursuits| Outdoor Residential Centres| Parks and Gardens| PE (Physical Education/Sport)| Picnic Areas| Residential School Trips| School Tour Operators| Storytelling|
What we offer on a school trip
First Education & School Travel (FEST) is part of First Bus UK, one of Britain’s
largest surface passenger transport operators.
We are a highly experienced team
specialising in school trip packages, educational travel and outdoor adventure.
We work in formal partnership with a range of providers across over 100 venues around the UK to offer the best choice of sites and activities, all working to LOtC guidelines.
As longstanding School tour operator, we offer an all-inclusive service, bringing together
each aspect of your trip to make sure you get exactly what you want from your experience. We provide transport, accommodation, meals, exciting activities or
attractions and a full support service from conception through to your return to school.
On site activities or facilities that an educational group can use
Our range of residential packages is extensive, we provide many varied themes and content, each suitable for all key stage age groups. Some of our venues specialise in just one type of programme e.g. Outdoor Adventure or Environ-mental Themes, whilst
some venues can deliver multiple themed packages.
All of our programmes are fully risk assessed and delivered by experienced & qualified staff.
Our partner providers are also LOtC accredited for additional peace of mind. Take a look at our brochures for more
details. https://www.firsttravelsolutions.com/fest/our-brochures
What makes us a great choice for education
Our all-inclusive range of residential packages offer a wide variety of school trip themes.
We offer exciting outdoor adventures, brilliant City Culture tours and challenging STEM programmes to name just three areas.
We work with over 100 venues UK wide. We are
very much aware that the cost of living pressures that impact on parents, so in a bid to beat the squeeze, we also offer all of our fantastic programs during the lower season months – generally between October and March when even greater value for money can be achieved.
Accreditation and Awards
We are an official school tour operator working to package travel regulations. In addition, we are a bonded travel company, each deposit payment you make to us is held in trust until your trip has been delivered – thus meaning your money is always safe. We are also members of The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
What is typically included on our school trips
Working in conjunction with a range of UK wide partner providers our specialist team brings together all the necessary aspects of a group travel package experience. Our all-inclusive trips include Transport, Accommodation, Meals, a full program of engaging activities and a full support service from conception through to your return to school.
Group Sizes Catered For
Typically group sizes vary from between 24 pupils + staff – up to around 100 pupils + staff.
Please see our venues on our website
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
Our range of residential packages is extensive, we provide many varied themes and content, each suitable for all key stage age groups.
Some of our venues specialise in just one type of programme e.g. Outdoor Adventure or Environmental Themes, whilst some venues can deliver multiple themed packages.
For instance, our all-inclusive STEM and DRAMA packages can be delivered in a large number of our partner venues using each venues fabulous location, grounds and classroom / workout areas.
All of our programmes are delivered by experienced & qualified staff meaning teachers can also get to enjoy the visit. Take a look at our brochures for more details. https://www.firsttravelsolutions.com/fest/our-brochures
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
Photography and filming is subject to permissions from each venue and all group leaders on-site at the time.
Risk Assessment Details
Our partnered venues are LOtC accredited, risk assessments for activities
and coach travel can be provided as requested.
Education Officer Information
School Visits Advisory Team – school.travel@firstgroup.com – 0203 467 2002
Pricing Information
We offer a wide range of fantastic all-inclusive packages for both primary and secondary groups.
Pricing is quoted in advance and based on size of group, length of stay and distance intended to travel to your chosen venue. Our principal activity programmes usually run on either a 2 night or 4 night basis.
The activity themes include:
Outdoor adventure packages
Environmental adventure
Discovery packages
Drama &Performing Arts
Geography
History
City Culture tours
STEM
Alex Rider Mission Briefing
Residential self-led visit
Our all-inclusive packages are delivered all year round with greater value and lower costs during low season – October to March.
Payment process:
A 10% Holding Deposit payment is due on confirmation 25% Secondary Deposit payment 6 months prior to commencing Final Balance Invoice payment due 10 weeks prior to the trip commencing.
To get a quote:
Please advise us or your preferred dates, expected numbers, preferred program/venue and your school/pick up address.
Clothing Requirements
Seasonal Clothing should be worn with suitable footwear and waterproofs. Participants should also bring a water bottle. We will provide recommended Kits list along with other useful information to groups leader well in advance of the trip.
First Aid Information
Staff at all venues are first aid trained. Schools should also provide a member of staff with first aid qualifications.
Available Facilities
Our great venues offer a wide range of facilities, from twin rooms through to dormitory rooms, Group Cabins and Tented villages, En-suite or group/gender split bathroom facilities and can/would typically include the below:
Outdoor activity areas.
Dining areas & Dry facilities for eating lunch if the weather is poor.
Wet rooms, Toilets & Changing areas
Lounge or recreational room
Event rooms/classrooms.
Self-catering kitchen or tea & coffee making facilities making.
A tuck shop providing gifts and confectionary.
Catering options
As part of our all-inclusive package we provide all your meals – from evening meal on arrival day through to lunch on departure day.
All of our venues can cater for the vast majority of dietary requirements – we request special dietary information in advance.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
All venues are DDA compliant.
Please contact us in advance to inform us of any special requirements.
Opening Hours & Information
Feel free to contact us any time by email. Our office is open for calls between 08:30 and 17:00 Monday to Friday.
Testimonials
Hamilton College: “Excellent service by both First Travel & the Centre Staff”
St Johns CE Primary
“We cannot recommend First Travel and the Centre enough. From the moment we re-
booked the residential, following our visit last year, everything was dealt with promptly.
Changes that needed to be made were accommodated and we felt supported during each step of the process, by Leanne and Rick. All forms are sent within plenty of time and are
easy to complete. The Centre is in a beautiful location, where the grounds are well kept
and there is plenty of space for the children to explore. The staff are exceptional, in
particular the Centre staff who took a genuine interest in getting to know our children and
were full of knowledge about the area”
Other Information
First Education and School Travel are unique in that we provide an all-inclusive service to school groups across the UK. We work in partnership with over 100 venues to offer a one-stop shop window of school trip themes all of which include every single aspect of the visit. Return executive coach travel, accommodation, meals and your chosen activity schedule/theme. Our school trip packages are ideal for both primary and secondary groups and cover themes including Outdoor Adventure, Eco-adventure, PHSE, STEM, Drama and Performing Arts, City Culture Tours, P.E and team challenge.
We also specialise in providing trips at lower season times of year when even greater value can be achieved without compromising on the quality of the experience. We offer a flexible payment schedule, ensuring we are taking into consideration the current financial pressures on parents and households.
Booking information
School Visits Advisory Team – school.travel@firstgroup.com
Tel: 0203 467 2002
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