The nationwide FirstGroup Excellence Awards were held earlier this year. The awards recognise outstanding achievements where First Bus staff have excelled over the year, gone above and beyond the call of duty and done an all round fantastic job.

As well as recognising individuals, the awards acknowledge people and teams who excel in what they do.

First Travel Solutions (FTS) had a total of 9 finalists entered for this year's awards. The following staff won or were highly commended within their award category.

Quantum Leap Award -&nbsp;Highly Commended - Masood Bakhsh, Control Duty Manager

Employee Engagement Award -&nbsp;Winner - Katie Elsworth, HR Manager

Safety Award -&nbsp;Winner - FTS Champions League Final team

Sustainability Award -&nbsp;Highly Commended - First Travel Solutions company wide award (collected by Gregg Nolan and Lisa Bennison)

Heroes Roll of Honour -&nbsp;Kelly Ferguson, Control Duty Manager

Richard Kirk, Commercial Director for FTS said; "There were 26 First Bus staff awarded with hero awards on the evening for bravery and service to others.

These awards are all about recognising the commitment and hard work of all our staff not just the winners on the evening.

Anyone within the company can nominate colleagues for an award across 15 categories. What's even more pleasing is that for every nomination received, First Bus donate £5 to Prostate Cancer UK, their charity partner."

Success for First Travel Solutions at FirstGroup Excellence Awards

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We are delighted to announce our all-inclusive 2 night / 3 day Key Stage 2 residentials based at the fabulous Grinton Lodge in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.

These all-inclusive packages are delivered throughout the academic year and include all the necessary aspects that make up a successful school trip.We include return coach travel, accommodation, meals and activities.

Take a look at the new brochure&nbsp;<a href="https://admin.firsttravelsolutions.com/sites/default/files/public/2024-02/FEST%20Grinton%20Lodge%20Mailer%20Jan%202024%20WEB.pdf">Grinton Lodge Key Stage 2 residential 2024/2025</a>

Grinton Lodge is a 19th-century former shooting lodge that has been a youth hostel since 1948. It is a Grade II listed building, situated above the village of Grinton, in beautiful Swaledale, just 9 miles from the market town of Richmond, North Yorkshire. Facilities are of a high standard and great for groups of up to 70 pupils.

We offer TWO superb all-inclusive package themes at Grinton Lodge. Choose from our ever-popular Discovery Programme Package or the spectacular Alex Rider Mission Briefing Package.

These two great residential options will inspire your pupils and provide an opportunity to explore incredible surroundings, whichever theme you choose. Both packages are delivered in formal partnership with the team at Grinton Lodge.

All your coach travel, accommodation and meals are included within this brilliant package as well as your chosen activity theme. Call us on 0203 467 2002 or email school.travel@firstbus.co.uk&nbsp;for more details.

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Try low season –

To be more inclusive our focus has always been about providing schools with great value for money, and now more than ever we are doing our utmost to provide opportunities that will be more accessible to more of your pupils.

Consider breaking away from the traditional April – September months when school trip costs can be prohibitive for many families and join the many schools who are reaping the benefits and seeing more of their pupils take part, by running your trip outside of the main season.

Our general low season months are&nbsp;October, November, December, January, February, and March&nbsp;– where we can offer great value all-inclusive residential packages to schools and organised groups

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Our new KEY STAGE 2 Grinton Lodge Discovery Package - North Yorkshire

Fest News

We are delighted to announce our all-inclusive 2 night / 3 day Castle Head Adventure residential visits for low season 2024/2025.

These low-season school trip packages are ideal for BOTH Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 2 groups - delivered between 1st November and 31st March 2025. Our package includes your return coach travel, accommodation, meals and an activities programme.&nbsp;

Take a look at this off the shelf, all-inclusive package delivered at Castle Head, located in beautiful South Cumbria between the coast of Morecambe Bay and the Lake District National Park.

<a href="https://admin.firsttravelsolutions.com/sites/default/files/public/2024-02/FEST%20Castle%20Head%20Mailer%20KS3.%20KS2%20Feb%202024.pdf">Castle Head Brochure Mailer KS3 &amp; KS2 2024/2025</a>

Try low season –

To be more inclusive our focus has always been about providing schools with great value for money, and now more than ever we are doing our utmost to provide opportunities that will be more accessible to more of your pupils.

Consider breaking away from the traditional April – September months when school trip costs can be prohibitive for many families and join the many schools who are reaping the benefits and seeing more of their pupils take part, by running your trip outside of the main season.

Our general low season months are November, December, January, February, and March – where we can offer great value all-inclusive residential packages to schools and organised groups

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Our new KEY STAGE 3 Castle Head Activity programme - Cumbria

Last year we re-launched our all-inclusive Whitby Discovery Package - delivered in partnership with the excellent YHA Whitby team. This 2 night / 3 day all-inclusive Discovery package is now the most popular school trip package that we offer - with dozens of schools booking this exciting programme of discovery and learning activities.

What's included? - return coach travel, accommodation, meals and a great range of Discovery activities (check the "Our Brochures" section for more details).

Our Whitby programme has proven so popular that we are now fully booked for Spring and Summer 2024 and are now filling the low-season period Nov 2024 - March 2025. If you are looking to join the band of schools looking for a Whitby experience then make contact now - spaces are being filled in 2025 and we are starting to see bookings for 2026 too!

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Check out the Whitby Discovery brochure here&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://admin.firsttravelsolutions.com/sites/default/files/public/2024-01/FEST%20Whitby%20Brochure%20Jan%202024%20version.pdf">Whitby Brochure 24.25 (firsttravelsolutions.com)</a>

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Whitby Discovery Packages - Nov 2024 - March 2025 

We have provided a fabulous range of all-inclusive City Culture Tours for many years now, taking in some of the UK’s most iconic cities. We would now like to re-introduce our famous London City Culture Tour – we can now include a range of theatre workshops to sit alongside your booked theatre show and your other chosen attractions. Call us to find out more on 0203 467 2002

As part of your London City Tour we can now include a theatre &amp; drama package as well as providing your accommodation, meals, travel and a fully bespoke attractions itinerary.&nbsp;In partnership with Theatre Workout we are proud to offer this amazing all-inclusive package as either a day trip or residential visit.

Image by Charles Postiaux

Theatre & Drama Packages - London 2023 / 2024

Why are school trips important?

It is without doubt that school residential trips are a rewarding and positive experience for children during their time in education. The outcomes and experiences for children can last a lifetime, encouraging real learning opportunities for real life situations, whilst promoting resilience, communication skills, self confidence and most of all making children feel they belong to a community where interaction with others is key to creating positive opportunities.

How can a school justify the cost of a trip to parents in these difficult times?

For the above reasons school leaders shouldn't lose sight of the significant added value opportunities for pupils' development through outdoor learning. It is key to get these messages across when asking parents to consider making an investment to allow their child to take part. We all recognise the real squeeze on household budgets that we are all feeling just now, but it's important to ensure that children don't lose out on what might be the most important single experience in their schooling. Now is not the time to ditch these life affirming experiences.

Historically, residentials have mainly had the greatest demand between April and mid July, but that's when the costs are usually at their highest and when demand is at it's greatest. Why not take time to consider how a low season visit might fit into your school calendar and how the associated lower costs might make it much easier for parents to agree to include their child on a visit?

We can help you offer the same high quality experience but at a lower season time of year for a much lower cost.&nbsp;

We have a wide range of all-inclusive residential packages available across the UK. From a Discovery Package in Whitby for example, to an Island Adventure in Scotland, to an action adventure activity package delivered right across the country. We have a wide range of options available that despite the low season, provide the same high quality experience and real value for money, promoting inclusivity, whilst also addressing the growing burden on household budgets.

All packages include:&nbsp;Return Coach Travel – Accommodation – Meals – Activities

This all inclusive offer is only available when booking directly with First Education &amp; School Travel.

Our industry leading all-inclusive residential programmes are exactly what they say they are - they are all-inclusive! We design our packages to make the whole process simple and straightforward, giving the group leader full support throughout the process from conceiving the trip to it's delivery and return back to school.&nbsp;

Simply call us on&nbsp;0203 467 2002&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:school.travel@firstbus.co.uk">school.travel@firstbus.co.uk</a>&nbsp;to discuss your requirements with our specialist team.

School Trips - still an important aspect of school learning

Tackling the increasing cost of living!

Delivered in partnership with our friends at KMingswood, these ‘Beat the Squeeze’ special offer, all-inclusive packages are delivered between October 2022 and March 2023. High in quality and providing real value for money, these low season visits promote inclusivity and also address the growing burden on household budgets.

Includes: Return Coach Travel – Accommodation – Meals – Activities

Book now to get incredible prices on your next trip!

Offer only available when booked directly with First Education and School Travel.

These award-winning residential programmes are designed to discover the potential in every child. They’ll enjoy a taste of adventure and a sense of independence, developing confidence and resilience as well as developing key life skills which will last way beyond their return to the classroom.

Enjoy exhilarating and challenging activities from archery to zip wires, staying in comfortable accommodation and enjoy their great new menu too.

Everything is included – book now to reserve your space!

Stay for two nights between October 2022 and March 2023 and enjoy a carefully selected blend of activities that aim to develop character through discovery, exploration, play and challenge activities, all intertwined with fun and interesting curriculum links.

Simply call us on 0203 467 2002 or email <a href="mailto:school.travel@firstbus.co.uk">school.travel@firstbus.co.uk</a> to discuss your requirements with our specialist team.