Avon Tyrrell is a Learning Outside the Classroom provider and has been accredited with high quality, industry recognised badges to highlight the quality provision that we provide.
Avon Tyrrell is UK Youth’s Outdoor Centre in the New Forest National Park providing outdoor learning programmes and personal development opportunities for young people to experience, learn and develop. As outdoor learning professionals, we provide a stimulating locality with a unique heritage and passionate staff to support young people to develop core life skills, belief, courage and leadership to build brighter futures. Last year 20,000 young people engaged in outdoor learning with us through various adventure activities, development programmes, apprenticeships, residentials and holiday play schemes.
Outdoor learning contributes significantly to improving personal, social, and emotional development in young people. We are dedicated to the continuous development of young people by providing high quality outdoor learning, allowing young people to experience, learn and develop in an unrivalled environment whilst giving them the opportunities they need to reach their full potential, and to experience learn and develop in an unrivalled environment.
Young people are facing a complex and increasingly challenging world. There are pressures on their mental health, employment prospects and financial challenges. Participating in high-quality, inclusive outdoor learning can make a positive impact, provide opportunities to learn new skills and create memories that will last a lifetime.
With one dedicated travel specialist supporting your school from the first enquiry to the journey home, you can spend less time managing suppliers and more time getting excited about the trip.
Planning a school residential should feel exciting, not like a second full-time job.
First Education & School Travel, better known as FEST, is a UK-based school tour operator and part of First Travel Solutions and First Bus UK. We design and deliver all-inclusive residential trips, educational visits and outdoor adventures for schools and learning establishments across the country.
Every FEST package brings together the key elements of your trip under one trusted provider, including:
• Coach or rail travel
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Activities and attractions
• A programme tailored to your chosen venue and group
Each school works with one dedicated travel specialist, who supports the group leader throughout the planning process. From dates, destinations and itineraries to planning documents, risk assessments, safeguarding information and menus, our team helps take care of the details from the first conversation through to the safe journey home.
FEST works in formal partnership with trusted providers at more than 100 venues across the UK. Our partners are selected to meet or exceed relevant industry legislation and Learning Outside the Classroom guidelines, giving schools confidence in the quality and suitability of their trip.
Trips are available throughout the year, including lower-cost residential options during the quieter season from November to April, when schools can often benefit from greater availability and considerable savings.
Why choose FEST?
• One simple, all-inclusive package price
• One dedicated point of contact
• A UK-wide choice of venues and activities
• Packages for different key stages, group sizes and learning objectives
• Trusted and accredited partner providers
• Customer payments protected through our bonding arrangements
• Support from an experienced education travel team
FEST is a fully bonded tour operator and a member of the Bonded Coach Holiday Group, overseen by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited. We are also members of the British Educational Travel Association and the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
Whether you are organising your school’s first residential, a curriculum-led educational visit or an outdoor adventure, FEST will help turn your plans into a safe, well-organised and memorable experience.
Simply tell us your preferred dates, approximate group size and ideal destination, and our team will create an all-inclusive package for your school.
School trips, sorted.
OPAL is a Community Interest Company that has been supporting schools in improving the quality of their playtimes since 2011. We do this through the OPAL Primary Programme. This award-winning mentor-supported school improvement programme addresses all the areas schools must plan for to strategically and sustainably improve the quality of their play opportunities. This is the only programme of its kind that has been independently proven to sustainably improve the quality of play in primary schools, both here in the UK and internationally. Its success comes from a series of interrelated actions undertaken with specialist support from an OPAL mentor. This embeds play into the school’s policies and practices and establishes clear guiding principles and strategies for initiating changes at playtimes. The results can be transformational in even the more challenging school environments. Find out more: www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk
