We are immensely proud in our ability to work with some of the UK’s best and most trusted outdoor education and accommodation providers. Many of our partnerships and close working links date back many years, each of us delivering our services to the very highest standards.

Our own hugely experienced team work seamlessly day to day with each of our partner providers to bring together probably the most cost effective, highest quality, and industry leading school trip packages available anywhere in the UK.   

We work with many, partners and attractions across the UK, too many to mention here, but let’s introduce some of our principle partners….. each are incredible!

YHA

Youth Hostels Association (YHA)

YHA believes in the power of travel and adventure. To connect people to each other, to nature and the outdoors, to culture and to heritage. Hostelling makes travel and adventure accessible to everyone, everywhere.

YHA are a leading social enterprise and a 90-year-old movement. A charity on a mission to enrich the lives of all, but especially young people, and improve physical health, mental wellbeing and life skills through the experiences we create.

Due to our fabulous partnership with YHA, First Education and School Travel can provide a wide range of fully flexible residential packages across the majority of the 150 YHA sites, located across England & Wales. Each of the sites are ideal for school groups of all ages, sizes and abilities and each of our school trip packages can be delivered all year round. Ideal for Key Stage 2/3 themes include Geography, History, Discovery, Team Building, Drama and Team Challenges.

Accommodation is hugely diverse in many different types of building each with comfortable, well maintained bedrooms, well-proportioned dining rooms and fabulous common rooms and grounds.


Kingswood

Kingswood

For over 35 years, Kingwood’s transformative trips have encouraged both adults and young people to build confidence and resilience by taking on fun challenges. With nine activity centres across the UK, plus a Château in France, our partnership with Kingswood enables us to offer some unbeatable life changing experiences for everyone, all provided as part of a fully inclusive package. 

With the new school year in full swing, and with robust COVID-safe protocols in place, residential trips are once again providing a much needed breath of fresh air and rush of adrenaline for young people. Our outdoor adventure packages, using any of the nine Kingswood venues we work with, offer fabulous value for money, high octane adventure and opportunities for real and tangible

We provide incredible all-inclusive outdoor adventure and environmental adventure packages at each of the nine UK venues. Accommodation is either in residential centres, purpose built lodges or cabins.   


stem-robot

VSTEAM Education

Providing interactive and engaging workshops covering STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) curriculum areas. Take a look at the workshop themes - all available as part of your residential programme content  STEM Workshops | Primary School STEM Workshops (vsteamedu.com)

Our STEM themed residential visits are designed to be delivered over 2 nights / 3 days and include return travel, accommodation, meals and a fabulous STEM themed workshop programme.

More about VSTEAM Education

VSTEAM Education are an organisation that provides exceptional science and engineering engagements to the educational sector. The STEM themed activities are delivered by a team of talented, qualified engineers. Each member of the team has a unique background and something special to offer.

This STEM themed residential is a new take on outside classroom learning and delivered as part of an all-inclusive residential experience. ​​

STEM residentials are available all year round at a range of UK school group accommodation venues. Contact us for more information - school.travel@firstbus.co.uk

Or call us to find out more on 0203 467 2003   


Essex outdoors

Essex Outdoors

For over a decade, we have worked closely with Essex Outdoors to provide a real high-quality, high octane outdoor adventure package, located across four venues in the East and South East of England. We work predominantly with Bradwell, Danbury and Mersea each with more than 40 challenging and exciting outdoor activities spanning the alphabet, from Archery to Zipwire, the selection is sure to engage and inspire school group visitors.

All activities are delivered by qualified and experienced instructors and working closely with you we can facilitate a plan to combine the activity sessions into a bespoke programme to meet exactly the objectives and learning outcomes you wish to gain from your visit.

Essex Outdoors activities support the social, moral and spiritual growth of young people. They encourage the development of their communication and concentration skills, whilst re-engaging their commitment to learning. Pupils will also develop skills of application, comprehension, evaluation, and analysis.

Accommodation is provided either in a residential centre, wooden cabins or as camping.


 

Field Studies Council

Another longstanding principle partner, Field Studies Council is an environmental education charity providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to discover, explore and understand the natural world.

With a proud history of 80 years, the charity has a network of UK locations providing high quality fieldwork and outdoor learning. Working to open the minds of young people to the wonders of their environment through first-hand experiences is as important today as it was in 1943 when Field Studies Council first started.

FSC has become internationally respected for its national network of learning locations, international outreach training projects, research programmes, information and publication services, and wide range of professional training and leisure courses.

Aims: FSC wants to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.

We work in partnership with a number of FSC locations across England and Scotland to deliver a range of all-inclusive packages, these include our ever popular Island Adventure Package delivered at FSC Millport on the beautiful Isle of Cumbrae. A package that includes road and ferry travel as well as accommodation, meals and fabulous learning and adventure activities. A truly great learning experience for groups. 

Accommodation is in a range of high-quality residential centres


Theatre Workout

Theatre Workout

In partnership with Theatre Workout we are proud to offer a range of all-inclusive day visit or residential visits focussing on drama and performing arts. We have a fabulous London based package where the group will stay at one of partner accommodation venues will include your accommodation, meals, travel and a fully bespoke Drama itinerary. Plus, you also get to experience a live West End show.

Theatre Workout’s West End workshops are all about creative learning through drama and performance, and are designed around your students to:

  • Maximise their theatre experience,
  • Enhance the creative curriculum,
  • Engage and inspire students,
  • Achieve Artsmark and Arts Award goals,
  • Support school productions and coursework projects.

Bespoke, performance-based workshops

Their most popular workshops and masterclasses cover all aspects of theatre and performance technique, including Acting, Shakespeare, Musical Theatre and much more...

We also work with Theatre Workout to deliver outstanding Drama packages at other locations across the UK including Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and many more..

Contact FEST

First Education & School Travel
Unit 5 Petre Court, Petre Road, Clayton Business Park, Clayton Le Moors, Accrington BB5 5HY

Tel: 0203 467 2002

Email: school.travel@firstbus.co.uk