Question 1

Why choose Education Destination for your Isle of Wight school visit?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination is a forward thinking organisation offering bespoke, curriculum-relevant trips and tours to the Isle of Wight at a realistic and affordable price.

Excellence comes as standard. We offer the perfect mix of fun and learning in an "overseas" destination rich in learning opportunities for all age groups and ability levels.

We will support those who wish to take care of some of their own arrangements, or we can offer a complete door-to-door service using high quality, trusted logistics partners.

We're passionate about what we do. We will work alongside you to put together the perfect package for you. No hard and fast itineraries. No "same old same old" circular tours. Everything we offer is totally bespoke to you.

Book with us and you'll have a dedicated account manager who will ensure everything is as hassle-free as possible. They will arrange sample risk assessments and other safety documentation, help you arrange inspection visits (if required) and advise on educational resources if you're planning a learning trip. Your account manager will also be on hand during your visit to handle any issues that arise, and you may opt to have them call in on you once or more during your visit.

Start by having a good look around our website - and when you're convinced that we are the best choice partner for you, simply request a quote with no obligation and we'll get cracking on developing the perfect package to suit your needs.

Get a Quote Now

Question 2

Why choose the Isle of Wight for a school trip?

Accepted Answer

Bringing a group of youngsters to the Isle of Wight is just like taking an overseas trip but without all the hassle of passports, money exchange, language barriers and lots of other considerations. For many of our guests, travelling on the ferry or hovercraft is their first experience on board a ship and the journey is short and manageable whilst being exciting.

The Isle of Wight has a long history of welcoming school groups and is well geared up for hosting thousands of students at a time mainly in seaside hotels either side of the main holiday season. We have an abundance of excellent attractions - from theme parks to zoos, castles to heritage railways. We are surrounded by the sea which features heavily in our activity offerings - from academic studies of coastal erosion or fossil hunting through to leisure pastimes such as sailing and coasteering. Much of the Island is designated an SSSI so we have the flora and fauna (and sheer beauty) that goes with that status.

We have a dry, sunny but mild climate, and offer a very safe environment for all. The Isle of Wight is one of those places that once you've been, you want to return to time after time.

Education Destination is an Island-based company specialising in providing first-rate bespoke trips to the Isle of Wight.

Question 3

How up-to-date are Education Destination's programmes and activities?

Accepted Answer

All of our itineraries are bespoke, built to your exact requirements, so they don't go out of date. Everything you see on our website is available to book for your next trip, subject to availability of course.

Being locally based, we talk to our venues, accommodation and activity partners on a regular basis, so we are fully appraised of updates and changes.

Our learning resources are regularly revised to keep abreast of curriculum and syllabus changes.

Question 4

What types of teaching resources and worksheets does Education Destination offer?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination prides itself on the quality and relevance of each of our learning resources. We encourage each of our partner activity providers to develop as many as possible, based on a detailed analysis of the main UK curriculums and syllabuses. We develop resources for all age ranges and relevant subjects, and these are also differentiated for ability within each key stage.

A selection of pre-visit (classroom), on-site and post-visit enrichment resources are available for many of our partner venues. All are developed by experienced teachers locally. Each is supported by a detailed Teacher Note and a useful Parent Note, and many also have sample lesson plans.

Question 5

Will Education Destination help me with my approvals paperwork?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination takes safety and wellbeing very seriously. Whilst all of the service providers you will come into contact with are third parties, we only endorse and use those who meet our stringent requirements.

All venues, accommodation and service providers are required to provide sample Risk Assessments which we update annually, bringing in a third party CMIOSH certified partner to help where necessary. All of these documents are made available to you as soon as you book, and if there's anything specifically that you need that we haven't already got, we'll help you arrange it.

Of course, we realise that you may wish to conduct your own inspections before booking or travelling, and we will happily help co-ordinate such visits for you. We're happy to act as your "eyes and ears" and answer any specific concerns you may have.

Before your trip, you'll receive a detailed Day by Day Guide summarising all of the key facts that you and your colleague chaperones will need to know on arrival at each venue - including arrangements for first aid, toileting, lost children, summonsing emergency help etc. alongside useful summaries of the facilities available, site plans etc.

Question 6

Why don't you carry the LOtC Quality Award?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination are fully paid-up members of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC). We support the aims of CLOtC as we too believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience the world beyond the classroom walls as an essential part of learning and development.

Because we exclusively use third parties for accommodation and activities, we're not eligible to apply for the LOtC Quality Badge or the LOtC Resource Provider Awards ourselves. However, we do work with a number of service providers that hold the Quality Badge in their own right, and we can include these in your itinerary.

Question 7

Does Education Destination have any special provisions for Adventurous Activities?

Accepted Answer

Some of our current venues or activities fall under AALA licensing requirements and all are provided by third parties that are fully registered and inspected by the AALA with current documentation available by way of proof.

Some activities will require medical information to be disclosed and ultimately it will be the decision of the venue as to whether a student will be allowed to undertake a specific activity in accordance with their own safety guidelines.

All animal attractions carry the relevant DEFRA and/or BIAZA certifications, and appropriate hand washing facilities will be made available to tour groups.

Question 8

Will our group have sole occupancy of the provided accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Most of our accommodation options can be booked exclusively, however in some cases with larger venues and smaller groups this could be prohibitively expensive.

Some accommodation providers however insist on sole occupancy.

For those where sole occupancy does not make sense financially, we have worked with the accommodation providers to identify opportunities for assured segregation. We can explain these to you fully before you proceed to booking. Wherever possible, depending on special requirements and demand, we always aim to offer you a choice of accommodation when you place your enquiry.

Question 9

Are your coach drivers appropriately vetted?

Accepted Answer

We subcontract transport provision to a small selection of trusted and proven coach companies - based on the Isle of Wight or regionally on the UK mainland. Each company has its own rules regarding DBS checks but it is a requirement of our ongoing contract with these providers that all drivers used on our tours are fully enhanced DBS checked.

When we use Island-based coach operators, the driver goes home at the end of the day, so there are no safeguarding concerns overnight. However, when using mainland-based coach operators, we will always look to accommodate driver(s) offsite unless we have both agreed otherwise.

Question 10

Does Education Destination offer "door-to-door" transport?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a provider of totally bespoke group tours, we can arrange transport on your behalf by coach, minibus or other options. We can also work with you if you'd like to arrange your own or are forced to do so by local policy.

Question 11

If we make our own way to the ferry, can you take over from there?

Accepted Answer

Of course. Many clients arrive by train or plane and make their own way to the ferry. We can have a coach or minibus meet you on arrival, or we can come and get you from school, an airport or station.

Whatever your transport needs, we can help.

Question 12

We'd like to travel to the Isle of Wight in our own minibuses - can we?

Accepted Answer

Sure. You can take care of the arrangements yourself or we can arrange the ferry crossings for you at a preferential and often discounted rate.

Question 13

Which Isle of Wight ferry services can my school group use?

Accepted Answer

Any of them! It really depends on where you're travelling from/to and the order of your itinerary as to which crossing we will recommend, but you are free to nominate your preference if you wish.

Question 14

What accommodation options are available for my Isle of Wight group visit?

Accepted Answer

The majority of Education Destination's school groups tend to stay in hotels, and in the main these are sized according to the group cohort and booked on an exclusive use basis with all meals provided.

We also offer a range of alternative accommodation options, including camping, holiday camps (chalets etc.), student accommodation, youth hostels etc. We will always try to offer you at least two or three choices depending on availability and your budget.

Question 15

I have wheelchair-bound students - is this a problem?

Accepted Answer

Whilst the majority of our venues and service providers can cater for wheelchair users, we can struggle sometimes to arrange accommodation (especially short notice) for groups with more than a one or two wheelchair users.

Most of the accommodation providers we use are based on older Victorian era buildings, thus tending to have limited numbers of wheelchair accessible or adapted rooms. However, there are a couple of options available for larger groups of mobility impaired visitors so we encourage you to talk to us as soon as possible when considering a trip as these are frequently booked in advance.

Question 16

Where on the Isle of Wight will my school group be staying?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination offers accommodation options right across the Isle of Wight, but the majority tend to be concentrated in the east coast seaside resorts of Shanklin and Sandown. If you have a preference for area, let us know when enquiring.

Question 17

Can you cater for special dietary requirements or allergies?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We just need you to make these requirements known at the point of booking or as soon after booking as they become known. We will share the relevant information with service partners you will come into contact with, anonymised where possible.

Question 18

How does the booking and payment process work?

Accepted Answer

Once you are happy with your quote and proposal and wish to go ahead and book, we will issue an invoice for a deposit and a set of Terms and Conditions which will apply to the booking. This will be based on a headcount estimate that you give us at the time of booking. On receipt of both of these we will have formed a contract and we will then confirm the reservation for you.

If your booking is far in the future, we may give you an estimated total, with an allowance for inflation included. We will then give you an accurate final price in the January prior to the trip.

The initial deposit will be for a nominal amount per person - usually £25. The rest of the payments process depends largely on the proximity to the trip arrival date, but as most bookings are made up to a year in advance we will typically require 50% of the balance in the January prior to the trip, and the final 50% no later than 8 weeks prior to arrival date. Any late changes to headcount or other chargeable elements will be settled after the trip with a credit note or additional invoice as necessary.

All of this will be clearly set out in your booking documentation so that you have the opportunity to query anything before committing.

Apologies, but we cannot reserve or hold any services without a deposit.

Question 19

What is included in the fee?

Accepted Answer

That depends on what you've asked for! In most cases where we provide a 'full service' your fee will usually include all of the travel and accommodation options detailed, including breakfast, packed lunch and an evening meal from the evening of arrival to the lunch on day of departure. It will also include entry fees for any booked visits, so all you will need in addition will be pocket money.

Your booking confirmation will be explicit about what is included for the avoidance of any doubt.

Question 20

Who exactly am I booking with?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination Ltd is an Isle of Wight based tour operator since 2014. Here's the legal info we are obliged to publish.

Question 21

What is Education Destination doing to ensure trips remain affordable?

Accepted Answer

We understand that in the current uncertain economic climate schools and parents are worried about cost increases affecting their Isle of Wight school trips. But we also know how important these trips are in our young guests' lives.

Find out here what steps we're taking with our suppliers and partners to help keep the cost of trips down as far as possible.

Question 22

Why choose Education Destination for your Dorset school visit?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination is a forward thinking organisation offering bespoke, curriculum-relevant trips and tours to Dorset and the Jurassic Coast at a realistic and affordable price.

Excellence comes as standard. We offer the perfect mix of fun and learning in a destination rich in learning opportunities for all age groups and ability levels.

We will support those who wish to take care of some of their own arrangements, or we can offer a complete door-to-door service using high quality, trusted logistics partners.

We're passionate about what we do. We will work alongside you to put together the perfect package for you. No hard and fast itineraries. No "same old same old" circular tours. Everything we offer is totally bespoke to you.

Book with us and you'll have a dedicated account manager who will ensure everything is as hassle-free as possible. They will arrange sample risk assessments and other safety documentation and help you arrange inspection visits (if required). Your account manager will also be on hand during your visit to handle any issues that arise, and you can opt to have them call in on you one or more times during your visit.

Start by having a good look around our website - and when you're convinced that we are the best choice partner for you, simply request a quote with no obligation and we'll get cracking on developing the perfect package to suit your needs.

Get a Quote Now

Question 23

Why choose Dorset / the Jurassic Coast for a school trip?

Accepted Answer

Dorset has a long history of welcoming school groups and is well geared up for hosting thousands of students at a time mainly in seaside hotels either side of the main holiday season. We have an abundance of excellent attractions - from theme parks to zoos, castles to heritage railways. The Jurassic Coast dominates and features heavily in our activity offerings - from academic studies of coastal erosion or fossil hunting through to leisure pastimes such as sailing and coasteering. Many parts of the county are designated as SSSI so we have the flora and fauna (and sheer beauty) that goes with that status.

We have a dry, sunny but mild climate, and offer a very safe environment for all. Dorset is one of those places that once you've been, you want to return to time after time.

Education Destination specialises in providing first-rate bespoke trips at affordable prices.

Question 24

How up-to-date are Education Destination's programmes and activities?

Accepted Answer

All of our itineraries are bespoke, built to your exact requirements, so they don't go out of date. Everything you see on our website is available to book for your next trip, subject to availability of course.

We talk to our venues, accommodation and activity partners on a regular basis, so we are fully appraised of updates and changes.

Our learning resources are regularly revised to keep abreast of curriculum and syllabus changes.

Question 25

Will Education Destination help me with my approvals paperwork?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination takes safety and wellbeing very seriously. Whilst all of the service providers you will come into contact with are third parties, we only endorse and use those who meet our stringent requirements.

All venues, accommodation and service providers are required to provide sample Risk Assessments which we update annually, bringing in a third party CMIOSH certified partner to help where necessary. All of these documents are made available to you as soon as you book, and if there's anything specifically that you need that we haven't already got, we'll help you arrange it.

Of course, we realise that you may wish to conduct your own inspections before booking or travelling, and we will happily help co-ordinate such visits for you. We're happy to act as your "eyes and ears" and answer any specific concerns you may have.

Before your trip, you'll receive a detailed Day by Day Guide summarising all of the key facts that you and your colleague chaperones will need to know on arrival at each venue - including arrangements for first aid, toileting, lost children, summonsing emergency help etc. alongside useful summaries of the facilities available, site plans etc.

Question 26

Why don't you carry the LOtC Quality Award?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination are fully paid-up members of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC). We support the aims of CLOtC as we too believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience the world beyond the classroom walls as an essential part of learning and development.

Because we exclusively use third parties for accommodation and activities, we're not eligible to apply for the LOtC Quality Badge or the LOtC Resource Provider Awards ourselves. However, we do work with a number of service providers that hold the Quality Badge in their own right, and we can include these in your itinerary.

Question 27

Does Education Destination have any special provisions for Adventurous Activities?

Accepted Answer

Some of our current venues or activities fall under AALA licensing requirements and all are provided by third parties that are fully registered and inspected by the AALA with current documentation available by way of proof.

Some activities will require medical information to be disclosed and ultimately it will be the decision of the venue as to whether a student will be allowed to undertake a specific activity in accordance with their own safety guidelines.

All animal attractions carry the relevant DEFRA and/or BIAZA certifications, and appropriate hand washing facilities will be made available to tour groups.

Question 28

Will our group have sole occupancy of the provided accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Most of our accommodation options can be booked exclusively, however in some cases with larger venues and smaller groups this could be prohibitively expensive.

Some accommodation providers however insist on sole occupancy.

For those where sole occupancy does not make sense financially, we have worked with the accommodation providers to identify opportunities for assured segregation. We can explain these to you fully before you proceed to booking. Wherever possible, depending on special requirements and demand, we always aim to offer you a choice of accommodation when you place your enquiry.

Question 29

Are your coach drivers appropriately vetted?

Accepted Answer

We subcontract transport provision to a small selection of trusted and proven coach companies. Each company has its own rules regarding DBS checks but it is a requirement of our ongoing contract with these providers that all drivers used on our tours are fully enhanced DBS checked.

Question 30

Does Education Destination offer "door-to-door" transport?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a provider of totally bespoke group tours, we can arrange transport on your behalf by coach, minibus or other options. We can also work with you if you'd like to arrange your own or are forced to do so by local policy.

Question 31

We'd like to travel to Dorset in our own minibuses - can we?

Accepted Answer

Sure. You can take care of the arrangements yourself and we can provide you with transfer details required to meet the itinerary timings.

Question 32

What accommodation options are available for my Dorset group visit?

Accepted Answer

The majority of Education Destination's school groups tend to stay in hotels, and in the main these are sized according to the group cohort and booked on an exclusive use basis with all meals provided.

We also offer a range of alternative accommodation options, including camping, holiday camps (chalets etc.), student accommodation, youth hostels etc. We will always try to offer you at least two or three choices depending on availability and your budget.

Question 33

I have wheelchair-bound students - is this a problem?

Accepted Answer

Whilst the majority of our venues and service providers can cater for wheelchair users, we can struggle sometimes to arrange accommodation (especially short notice) for groups with more than a one or two wheelchair users.

Some of the accommodation providers we use are based on older Victorian era buildings, thus tending to have limited numbers of wheelchair accessible or adapted rooms. However, there are options available for larger groups of mobility impaired visitors so we encourage you to talk to us as soon as possible when considering a trip as these are frequently booked in advance.

Question 34

Where in Dorset will my school group be staying?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination offers accommodation options right across the region, but the majority tend to be concentrated in the east coast seaside resorts of Bournemouth & Poole, along with Purbeck areas such as Swanage. We will usually propose an accommodation base to limit travel to your chosen activities, but if you have a preference for area, let us know when enquiring.

Question 35

Can you cater for special dietary requirements or allergies?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We just need you to make these requirements known at the point of booking or as soon after booking as they become known. We will share the relevant information with service partners you will come into contact with, anonymised where possible.

Question 36

How does the booking and payment process work?

Accepted Answer

Once you are happy with your quote and proposal and wish to go ahead and book, we will issue an invoice for a deposit and a set of Terms and Conditions which will apply to the booking. This will be based on a headcount estimate that you give us at the time of booking. On receipt of both of these we will have formed a contract and we will then confirm the reservation for you.

If your booking is far in the future, we may give you an estimated total, with an allowance for inflation included. We will then give you an accurate final price in the January prior to the trip.

The initial deposit will be for a nominal amount per person - usually £25. The rest of the payments process depends largely on the proximity to the trip arrival date, but as most bookings are made up to a year in advance we will typically require 50% of the balance in the January prior to the trip, and the final 50% at 12 weeks prior to arrival date. Any late changes to headcount or other chargeable elements will be settled after the trip with a credit note or additional invoice as necessary.

All of this will be clearly set out in your booking documentation so that you have the opportunity to query anything before committing.

Apologies, but we cannot reserve or hold any services without a deposit.

Question 37

What is included in the fee?

Accepted Answer

That depends on what you've asked for! In most cases where we provide a 'full service' your fee will usually include all of the travel and accommodation options detailed, including breakfast, packed lunch and an evening meal from the evening of arrival to the lunch on day of departure. It will also include entry fees for any booked visits, so all you will need in addition will be pocket money.

Your booking confirmation will be explicit about what is included for the avoidance of any doubt.

Question 38

Who exactly am I booking with?

Accepted Answer

Education Destination Ltd is a specialist schools tour operator established in 2014. Here's the legal info we are obliged to publish.

School Trip Area Choices

Education Destination General FAQs