The school visit: what to look for, what to ask

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: December 5, 2023

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The school visit: what to look for, what to ask

Be sure to visit all the schools on your list, if you can. A visit is the best way to determine whether a school is right for your child. Even a short visit will help you identify a school’s strengths and challenges. It’s also the only way to get a feel for a school’s climate — intangible but important factors like the dynamism of the teaching, engagement of the students, quality of communication, level of respect between students, teachers, administrators, and parents, and the overall sense that the school offers a safe and inspiring learning environment .

School visit checklists

Use this printable guide to help you plan your elementary, middle, or high school visit.

Before your visit

  • Do your homework. Read about the schools you’ll be visiting. Examine their school profiles on GreatSchools.org. Talk to other parents and check your local newspaper for articles about the schools.
  • Contact the school.  Most schools conduct regular school tours and open houses during the enrollment season — typically in the fall. Call the school or go online to schedule a visit.
  • Ask and observe. Jot down your questions before your visit (the sample questions below will help you create your list).

Key questions to ask

  • Does this school have a particular educational philosophy or mission?
  • What curriculum does the school use for math, reading, science, etc? Ask if the school follows the Common Core State Standards , Next Generation Science Standards , and which program(s) are they using to teach children to read ?
  • What is the average class size ?
  • What is this school’s approach to student discipline and safety? Do they practice restorative justice ? Are the discipline practices fair for families of color ? Do they practice corporal punishment , and if so, can you opt out of that for your child?
  • How much homework do students have? What is the school’s philosophy/approach to homework ?
  • What kind of library resources are available to students?
  • How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?
  • How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A drama program? Art classes?
  • What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, competitions) are available for students?
  • How do students get to school? Is free school busing available?
  • Is bullying a problem at the school? Does the school have an anti-bullying policy ?
  • Does the school have a program for gifted students ?
  • How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?
  • What strategies are used to teach students who are not fluent in English?
  • What professional development opportunities do teachers have ? In what ways do teachers collaborate?
  • Does the school offer Physical Education (PE) classes?
  • What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?

Features to look for

  • Do classrooms look cheerful? Is student work displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade level?
  • Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable, asking questions that stimulate students and keep them engaged?
  • Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?
  • How do students behave as they move from class to class or play outside?
  • Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ? What other types of parent involvement take place at this school?
  • How well are the facilities maintained? Are bathrooms clean and well supplied, and do the grounds look safe and inviting?

Especially for elementary schools

  • What are some highlights of this school’s curriculum in reading , math, science and social studies?
  • What criteria are used to determine student placement in classes?
  • How does this school keep parents informed of school information and activities? Are they easy to communicate with ?
  • Does the school let parents know what their rights are (and aren’t ) in regards to your child’s education?
  • Is quality child care available before and after school?
  • How much outdoor time do kids get each day?

 Especially for middle schools

  • How does the school guide and prepare students for major academic decisions that will define their options in high school and beyond? Do they provide advice to parents on how to help this age group ?
  • Does the school offer tutoring or other support if students need extra help?
  • Are world language classes (French, Spanish, etc.) offered to students?
  • If the school is large, does it make an effort to provide activities that create a sense of community ?

Especially for high schools

  • Does this school have a particular curriculum focus, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) or the arts?
  • What kind of emphasis does the school place on college preparation ?
  • Does the school have a good selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes?
  • What percentage of students take the SAT or/and ACT ?
  • Where do students go after they graduate? How many attend four-year college? Are graduates prepared for college ?
  • Are counselors available to help students make important decisions about classes?
  • Is college counseling and support available?
  • Does the school offer a variety of career planning options for students who are not college bound?
  • Does the school staff set high expectations for all students?
  • Does the school have a tutoring program so students can get extra help if they need it?
  • How do students get to school? Is there a parking lot, and are buses (public or district-provided) available?
  • Does this school have any school-to-work programs or specialized academies ?
  • What is the school drop-out rate ?

Especially for charter schools

  • When and why was this school created ?
  • Does the school have a specific focus?
  • Who is the charter holder, or the group that created the school?
  • How does the school select teachers? Are the teachers certificated?
  • Is this the permanent location or facility for the school? If not, will the school be moving to another location in the near future?

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Everything You Need to Know About School Tours

Before enrolling your child in a new school, it’s important to do your research. Looking up information about schools near you is a good place to start, but when it comes to getting a full picture of what a school is like, nothing beats an in-person visit. 

At BASIS Charter Schools, we proudly offer tours to prospective families. During these tours, we deliver all the information that families need to make an informed decision for their child.

Signing up for a tour is easy! Simply visit our Events page, select the tour you’re interested in, and RSVP via Eventbrite.

Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for a tour at a BASIS Charter School campus.

Benefits of going on a school tour

Going on a school tour is a great way to learn about potential schools for your child. Some of the main reasons to tour a school include:

  • Seeing classrooms in action: School tours often give you a chance to observe a classroom, allowing you to see what your child’s day-to-day learning environment will look like.
  • Having the opportunity to ask questions: Asking questions can be incredibly valuable as you consider different schools for your child. A school tour is the perfect time to ask your questions and get immediate answers!
  • Meeting teachers and staff: Before you send your child off to a new school, you want to make sure that they’ll be in good hands. Going on a school tour is a great way to meet school leadership, faculty, and staff.
  • Getting familiar with the campus : During a school tour, a staff member will show you around different parts of the campus. This gives you a chance to assess the cleanliness and safety of the school. Plus, touring a school helps you and your child become familiar with the layout of the campus, which can ease some first-day-of-school stress .
  • Learning about the school’s values: During a school tour, a staff member will speak to you about the history and mission of BASIS Charter Schools. Plus, you’ll learn about the individual school’s culture and community.

What to expect from your BASIS Charter School tour

On a school tour, you’ll learn about who we are, what makes our curriculum unique, and why we excel at teaching K–12 students.

Our tours are led by experienced school administrators who know our schools inside and out. After some introductions and an overview of what BASIS Charter Schools are, you’ll set off on your walk-through tour of the campus.

During the tour, you can expect a brief look inside some of the classrooms. You’ll also be shown areas such as the multi-purpose room, playground, and art room. Along the way, your tour guide will provide detailed information about the BASIS Charter School Curriculum, school culture, extracurricular activities, and more. There is plenty of time to ask questions—both during the tour and at the end!

Our tours are approximately 45–60 minutes long. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to start so that you have plenty of time to check in at the front desk and get a visitor’s badge. For security purposes, we require all adult attendees to present photo identification when checking in.

How to prepare for your school tour

Excited about your upcoming school tour? We get it; we’re excited to see you, too! Here are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of the experience.

Research the school

First and foremost, we recommend doing a bit of research on the school you’ll be visiting. Here are a few pages on our website that will help you learn more about our high-performing schools:

  • About BASIS Charter Schools
  • BASIS Charter School Curriculum
  • Awards and Rankings

Of course, you’ll learn more about these topics during your school tour—but getting a head start doesn’t hurt!

Make a list of questions

Take some time to jot down any questions you may have about the school you’re touring. Whether it’s general questions about BASIS Charter Schools’ teaching philosophy or specific questions geared towards your child’s needs, a school tour is a great time to get answers!

Some example questions include:

  • What is your average class size and student-to-teacher ratio?
  • Do you offer any before- or after-school programs?
  • What types of extracurricular activities are available?
  • How are fine arts incorporated into your curriculum?
  • What kind of student support do you provide?
  • What is the enrollment process like?

Don’t forget to bring your list of questions with you on your tour. This will ensure you don’t forget anything you were meaning to ask!

Get ready to take notes

There’s a lot to take in during a school tour! Whether you prefer to use your phone or a notepad and pen, be sure to bring something with you that you can use for notetaking. During the tour, write down any key details, as well as your general impression of the school.

Involve your child in the tour process

If possible, we recommend bringing your child along for your school tour. This is a great way for your child to become familiar with the campus and meet teachers and staff. Your child’s impression of the school may also play a large role in your decision-making process.

Mark your calendar

Set a reminder for your tour date and make sure you have a plan for getting to the school on time. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before the tour’s scheduled start time, so you have time to check in.

Take the next step—sign up for a school tour!

What are you waiting for? If you haven’t already, sign up for a school tour today by visiting our Events page and registering for a tour at your local BASIS Charter School campus. 

We hope to see you on a tour soon!

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10 questions to ask when visiting a primary school

What should you ask – and what should you look out for – when you're touring a primary school? These questions, plus advice from education expert Judith Judd, will help you choose the right school for your child

teacher with children in a primary school classroom

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If your child is due to start Reception or P1 next year, you'll need to apply for their primary school place by early January. So in the 4 months leading up to Christmas (September, October, November, December), it's wise to organise visits to any of the local primary schools you think you'd like your child to attend.

  • If you live in England or Wales, you can use the Government's online tool to find your local council's list of the primary schools in your area, the admission criteria for each of them and contact details so you can make an appointment to look around or check when their open days are.
  • If you live in Northern Ireland, you can find your area's primary schools on the Education Authority's online list .
  • If you live in Scotland, where primary-school places are allocated by catchment area, you can check which primary school your child will be allocated by using the Mygov.Scot online tool to find your local council's info pages on catchment areas (there's also info on the Mygov.Scot page about what you can do if you don't want to send your child to their allocated school).

Once you know what your potential primary school choices are, looking at official performance data (see How to check a primary school's performance data , below) can provide you with a steer for narrowing your choices down.

However, the impact of the pandemic has meant recent performance data for some schools is either not available or is not dependably comparable with previous years or other schools. It's also important to remember that a school could, say, get a brilliant inspection report one year and then, for any number of reasons (changes in key staff, for example) have bit of a wobble that might not be picked up until the next report, potentially many years later.

This is why taking the time to visit primary schools in your area is such a good idea: as a general rule, your instincts and gut reaction about a school can often be more helpful than any amount of written reports.

How to check a primary school's performance data

  • For English primary schools, you can check SATs results and Ofsted reports
  • For Scottish primary schools, you can check the Primary School Information Dashboard and Education Scotland's inspection reports
  • For Welsh primary schools, you can check My Local School Guide and Estyn inspection reports
  • For Northern Irish primary schools, you can check Schools Plus and ETI inspection reports

But before you visit a primary school, it's definitely worth jotting down a few questions to ask when you're there. And be sure to take note of the way staff or pupils respond to your questions, as well as what they actually say: it speaks volumes if you feel they're engaging with you – and genuinely seem to care about putting any of your fears and worries to rest – rather than hurrying your questions along.

More like this

So, what do you ask? And what do you look for, particularly, when you're going round a primary school?

Here are the 10 best questions to ask when visiting a primary school, plus key advice from education expert Judith Judd...

1. how do you settle children if they get lost or seem unhappy.

Your child is really quite young when they start school – if they've a summer birthday, they may be barely 4 years old – so it's good to know that they'll be OK if they fall over in the playground, feel a bit homesick or get lost between the lunchroom and class.

Ask if Reception/P1 children are kept separate from the older kids in the playground in the first few weeks. And if there are any specific policies or programmes in place for spotting and reassuring any new children who get upset or don't seem to have anyone to play with at break times.

Choosing the right primary school for your child: what the expert says

  • Look at the relationships in the school. "The relationships between the kids and the teachers are key. Look carefully to see if the teachers are paying individual attention to the children."
  • Get to know the head teacher. "It’s really important to have a chat with the head teacher. Good leadership is key and the head teacher is a really important figure. If the school has an Open Day, the head teacher should stand up and give a talk."
  • Don’t just go on reports and results. "You want your child to be enthusiastic about ALL learning. Yes, reading and writing is important. But just because a school gets decent results doesn’t necessarily mean they’re giving brilliant teaching. If you do look at results, drill down to see how much progress a school has made with the children there."
  • Know how the school does with different types of children. "If you look at school's inspection report, you can see how a particular school does with different types of children. Some inspections might reveal that a school doesn’t necessary do well with very clever children, for example. Or maybe children who are in the ‘middle’ are getting overlooked."
  • Think specifically of your child and if they’ll fit in. "Don't be swayed by where other people are sending their children: put your child and their personality at the heart of your decision. You need to think about your child. One size doesn't fit all, so you need to think hard about how your child will fit in at each particular school."

2. What's the usual child-to-staff ratio?

Government rules say that, in an ordinary infant teaching session, a qualified teacher should teach a group of no more than 30 children (if the Reception/P1 class includes younger children, the ratios are stricter). 1

But schools can differ in the kind of extra adult support – from teaching assistants and student teachers to other support staff and parent volunteers – they give each class.

Find out exactly what support is offered in what would be your child's class – both in the early years and later on, as your child progresses through the school.

3. What's the school lunch like? And is there a packed-lunch policy?

If your child's going to be at primary school in England or Scotland, then they'll get free school meals for at least their 1st 3 years of school.² Many primary schoolchildren in Wales also get free school meals – and the Welsh government plans to roll this out to all primary schools by 2024 . The rules are different for Northern Ireland , where free school meals depend on your family income and which benefits you receive).

But what kind of food can your child expect? Is there a typical week's menu you can look at? Can you opt to send in a packed lunch instead? And, if you can, are there any rules about what kind of food and drink can you put in your child's lunchbox? Some schools can be VERY particular about this.

4. Are there clubs, before and after school?

If you’re a working parent on full-time hours, you'll need to think about the work-school juggle. While nurseries often run from 8am to 6pm, school hours are more like 8.50am to 3.30pm – and that’s a big difference.

So if you need to think about early morning and late afternoon care, knowing a school provides it could be really useful and save you time working out other arrangements, such as using a local childminder.

If the school does provide this kind of wraparound care and you'd like to take advantage of it, do find out if there is a waiting list and, if there is, how long it is and how soon you can get your name on it.

5. Is there an 'open door' policy?

Or, put plainly, as a parent is it possible for you to come into the school and meet with your child’s teacher or the head teacher at fairly short notice if you have any concerns or issues? If not, what's the procedure you must follow to set up a meeting?

It’s really important that you feel there will be someone on hand to talk to if you have any worries about how your child’s doing.

6. What's your take on bullying?

All schools must have a policy on bullying and most of them say pretty much the same thing (and rightly so). But listen carefully to both the content and the tone of the answer you get when you ask this question: depending on your own views about discipline, the way you're told about how bullying issues are dealt with might resonate differently with you from school to school.

7. How long have the staff been working here?

It might make you super-reassured to hear that Miss Smith and at least 4 other teachers have been there for 30 years and none of the staff has been there less than 6 – after all, long-term staff commitment is often a sign of a happy, stable school.

On the other hand, perhaps you're more one for innovation, in which case this news might make you wonder if the school could have got a bit stuck in a rut.

Either way, it's worth knowing.

8. Is there a recent parent survey I can look at?

Not all schools, but some, carry out regular parent surveys to find out how parents think they're doing and to look at what they can do better.

If you ask and they do have a recent one you can look at – and preferably take away to read properly – that's a pretty good sign of a school's openness, transparency and positive attitude to parent-teacher relationships

9. How do you support high or low achievers?

Most children are, by definition, in the 'average' bracket. But if you are concerned that your child might have some learning difficulties or may be exceptionally bright, it's worth asking if they put on extra classes for these children, bring extra adult support into the classroom, or offer alternative teaching. And actually, it's interesting to ask this question even if you don't think your child will need this kind of support: the answer may give you an insight into how the teaching is organised to cater for all levels and abilities.

10. Do you enjoy working here?

Hopefully, you'll get a resounding YES to this one from anyone you ask at the school – from the school secretary to the teaching assistants to the head.

We're not saying you should make sure they all skip into school every morning with limitless joy in their hearts – we all know that not every school day can be entirely and utterly peachy. But any hesitation on this one, or side glances to a colleague, and it might just get you wondering if this school's the best environment for your child.

It's also worth bearing in mind that sometimes it will be a pupil who takes you around on your visit. If this is the case, you should ask them questions about what they like about the school, what the rules are, what their favourite subject is and what activities they like doing best. This will really give you a good insight into how children themselves experience the school.

Is there anything else I should look out for when I'm visiting a primary school?

Yes, as well as asking plenty of questions and gauging the general vibe of the school, there are some little signs that could well indicate you're looking round a productive, happy and creative school:

  • You'd made to feel welcome
  • The children in classrooms look happy and engaged
  • There are displays of artwork and other schoolwork on walls
  • The place is tidy, bright and well presented, even if the building is old
  • The teachers you see look happy, warm and relaxed

What happens next?

Once you've done your school visits, you should have a clearer idea of the primary schools in your area that you'd prefer your child to go to. Now's the time to pick your preferred schools (see 4 steps to narrowing down your choices , below), fill in the application form and submit it by the deadline your local council has set (15 January for schools in England and Wales; 27 January for Northern Ireland). Some councils do prioritise applications that come in before the deadline, so do check if that's the case for your council.

If you live in Scotland, the enrolment period for a child starting in P1 varies a lot depending on where you live, so do carefully check your local council's requirements . If you're not happy with the school your child has been allocated, they'll be a place on the online form where you can request a school outside the catchment area.

4 steps to narrowing down your choices

  • Is the school really within manageable walking/driving distance?
  • Is the school oversubscribed?
  • Are there special admission critera – proof of church attendance for faith schools, for example? If so, do you meet the criteria?
  • Have you ruled out your nearest school just on their published results?

The application will be online (although you may be able to request a paper version from your local council) and your local council will usually require you to register for an account first and upload documents that provide proof of address and the date of your child's birth – so leave yourself plenty of time to get this all done. You'll be able to save the form part-completed and come back to it.

Once your application is registered, you'll be asked for other details and then to list schools in order of preference. In England, and Wales, you can choose up to 6 schools; in Northern Ireland, you can choose 4 (though this can be extended to 6 in some areas). It's wise to use up all your preferences.

Once you submit your application, you'll get a reference number/receipt. And then your council will send you out an offer of a primary school places on 16 April.

Do accept the place as soon as possible (assuming you're happy with it) or you could risk losing it. If you are not happy with the outcome, you can always appeal . Good luck!

Pics: Getty Images

About our expert Judith Judd

References:.

1. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. Department of Education. Published July 2023 2. Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) . Education and Skills Funding Agency. Last updated June 2023; School meals . Mygov.Scot. Last updated May 2023.

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Helen Brown

Helen is author of the classic advice book Parenting for Dummies and a mum of 3. Before joining MadeForMums, she was Head of Community at Mumsnet and also the Consumer Editor of Mother & Baby.

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When deciding on who you should choose to handle your students travel arrangements, you can trust our team at the school tour company., we do not claim to be the number one school tour organiser in ireland, we are the number one school tour organiser.

When deciding on who to handle your school tour arrangements you can trust our team here at The School Tour Company. We have a large team who are dedicated to ensuring that you and your students have a wonderful school tour experience

Our focus is to ensure that the students learn as much as possible from the school tour experience by making itineraries varied, stimulating and action packed. Without question we feel, and have been told by many of our clients, that the relationship between the teacher and students dramatically improves following a school tour experience and students are more driven to succeed.

Our mantra is and will continue to be that ‘your job is to teach, and our job is to organise your school tour’. We never lose sight of the hard work and dedication that you put into leading the tours and we really try to minimise the stress that can be involved with doing this.

We have the largest and most experienced team in Ireland, with well over 200 years of combined school tour experience. No other company can offer this to you.

Our focus is to ensure that students learn as much as possible from the school tour experience by making itineraries varied, stimulating and action-packed. Without question the relationship between teacher and student dramatically improves following the school tour experience and students are more driven to succeed.

We hope you can find something to inspire you for your next tour. If your desired location is not mentioned on our website, please contact us as we can tailor make a tour to anywhere in the world.

We are not just limited to student travel so please consider our expertise when organising any kind of group travel, whether it be a retirement group, ladies club, sports club, dance group, choir/music group or flower club.

Our first-class personal service continues to be an integral part of our company.

We look forward to sharing this with you!

Check out our tours..., popular choices.

As Europe’s second largest city, London is pacey and animated although there are many opportunities for taking things easy.

Venice & Lake Garda

Stretching across 117 small islands, Venice is ideally suited for museum and gallery hopping.

Catalonia's capital is considered by many to be the 'most outstanding architectural city in the world'.

Without doubt, the perennial art capital of Europe, in addition, Paris tenders an inexhaustible supply of culture and history.

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School Tour Recommendations from Teachers

I recently asked teachers who follow me on Instagram for ideas for school tours around Ireland. I’m putting their answers below, hopefully you’ll find a suitable tour for your class. I will just include links to the relevant websites rather than prices etc. as these can change each year.

Junior and Senior Infants

Airfield Estate (Dublin)

Explorium (Dublin) 

Imaginosity (Dublin) – not currently open due to Covid

Newbridge Farm (Dublin)

Ardmore Open Farm (Waterford)

Leahy’s Open Farm (Cork)

Rumleys Farm (Cork)

Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm and Playground (Mullingar)

Festina Lente (Wicklow)

Glenroe Farm (Wicklow)

Woodfield House (Wexford)

Blackwater Open Farm (Wexford)

Wells House (Wexford)

Mellowes Adventure (Meath)

Newgrange Farm (Meath)

Parsons Green (Tipperary)

Lullymore (Kildare)

Clonfert Farm (Kildare)

1st and 2nd class

Crystal Maze (Meath)

Causey Farm (Meath)

Avon Rí (Wicklow)

Belmont Demesne (Wicklow)

Clara Lara (Wicklow)

Fort Lucan (Dublin)

Jump Zone (Dublin)

Dublin Zoo (Dublin) 

Pine Forest (Dublin)

Crag Cave (Kerry)

Let’s Go (nationwide)

3rd and 4th class

Dublin Zoo (Dublin)

National Sports Campus/Aquatic Centre (Dublin)

Dublin Castle

Dublinia (Dublin)

Dunmore East Adventure Centre (Waterford)

Fota Wildlife (Cork)

West Cork Secret (Cork)

Redhills Adventure (Kildare)

Castlecomber Discover Park (Kilkenny)

Croke Park (Dublin)

National Heritage Park (Wexford)

Leisure Max (Wexford)

Lough Key Forest Park (Roscommon)

Funtasia (Meath)

Celtic Adventures (Louth)

5th and 6th class

Alive Outside (Wicklow)

Tayto Park (Meath)

Shielbaggan (Wexford)

Star Outdoors (Kerry)

Zip It (Dublin/Cork/Roscommon)

Bay Sports (Athlone)

Delphi (Galway)

Lough Key (Roscommon)

Red Hills Adventure (Kildare)

Ballyhass Lakes (Cork)

Carlingford Adventure Centre (Louth)

Lilliput Adventure Centre (Westmeath)

Special classes

Soft play centres

Bounce and beyond

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School Tours Ireland

Just 4 Fun are the most fun and exciting multi-activity School Tours  in Ireland.

Find A Tour Venue Near You  

2024 school tours offer just 4 fun

We provide an all in one School Tour to Primary school children. Our school tours are unique in that we provide   multi-activity, fun/energetic activities, team building activites, while also supporting a fantastic charity. The tour day is challenging, energetic, and fun for your pupils. 

We cater to children from Junior infants to sixth class. Our School Tours provide 5 hours of energetic fun activities throughout the tour day. 

The charity element is where we donate money from each child’s fee (school that attends) to the Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin. #kidshelpingkids. This means that while having fun at a Just 4 Fun School Tour, your students are also helping sick children at CHI Crumlin. To date, over €55,000 has been raised for sick children.

School Tours Near Your Selected Location:

Carlow school tour, kerry school tour, limerick school tour, connacht school tour, cork school tour.

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Lullymore Monastery 722AD

  • Funky Forest Indoor Play
  • Outdoor Play Area
  • Purple Heather Café
  • Forest Walks
  • Treasure Hunt
  • 18 Hole Mini Golf
  • Themed Gardens

Toggles the Goat, Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

  • 1798 John Doorly House
  • Emigration Cottage
  • Prehistoric Settlements
  • Fairy Village & Lone Bush
  • Early Christian Exhibition

1798 John Doorly House, Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

  • Lullymore Peatlands
  • Peatland Biodiversity Trail
  • Peatlands Exhibition
  • Portal – Peatlands Flora & Fauna

Bog Cotton at Lullymore Heritage Park

  • Pre-School Tours
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  • SFI Curious Minds Tour
  • Ecology Field Trips

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  • International Tour Group
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Corporate Midland PPN Lullymore Heritage 2019

  • Easter at Lullymore
  • Halloween Happenings

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  • Portal – Peatlands Flora & Fauna
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  • School Tours
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Primary School Tours to Lullymore

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park has grown dramatically to become one of the leading national school tour destinations in our region. We feel that the reasons for this are the unique mix of education and fun , along with the professional but homely service we provide.

School Tours can be tailored to suit individual needs. Just call us and we will be happy to prepare a personalised schedule for you. The average school visit to the Park will last 3 – 4 hours, and during this time the range of activities can include:

  • Guided Tour ( Nature/History/Folklore – Pet Farm )
  • Adventure Outdoor Playground & Crazy Golf
  • Funky Forest and Indoor Play Centre
  • Road Train Trip
  • Lunch Break and Small Break  – Packed lunches welcome or Kids meals available in Cafe

Visits can be adapted to suit all ages and schedules

A trip to Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park is educational and fun and a day that will always be remembered! Our location on the Bog of Allen in County Kildare is easily accessible from every county in Ireland.

The ideal mixture of indoor and outdoor activities makes Lullymore the ideal all weather location. Even in the unfortunate event of bad weather on “ School Tour Day ” children can still have great fun and enjoyment in the Funky Forest and aboard the road train. Our park is wheelchair accessible and is safe and secure for all group visits. (Times above are only estimates an can be adapted). Picnics are welcome! Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park has more to offer than ever before.

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Come Join us at Lullymore!

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Customer Reviews

stars

What an amazing place from start to finished the mood was set from the second we rolled up to the gate got a real genuine welcome the place it's self is so clean and every one YES EVERY ONE seems so nice lots of things to do and the kids(2,6 and 9) LOVED the play areas actually hand on heart my kids loved every thing in the place, don't mean to sound like a hippy but honest was just a grate vibe In the place and we all felt it this was 10/10 for us can't wait to go again.

What a fantastic show Lullymore put on every year. Really enjoyed it as did my 11 and 14 year old. Cafe is lovely and the outside seating area comes with 2 inquisitive geese! The best thing about Lullymore more is the staff.

Great place, hidden gem, worth the travel, value for money, well kept.

Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park in Ireland is simply a treasure chest of Irish history and culture. Set amidst a tranquil peatland, the park beautifully combines education and entertainment. The exhibits are meticulously curated to throw light on Ireland's rich heritage. Kid-friendly activities like the Fairy Bower and the small pet farm engage younger visitors, while the enchanting nature walks and café serve as perfect relaxation stations for all age groups. The friendly staff are always cheerful and ready to assist. Lullymore is indeed Ireland's own green jewel, offering an enriching and immersive experience.

This is a superb location with a wide range of fun and informative aspects - learn about bogs and peat, ancient Irish heritage, Irish Christian heritage, the 1798 Rebellion, the Famine and much, much more.

We were greeted by Ray for our short visit to this attraction. The site tells an important part of Irish history and includes practical demonstrations of peat cutting and the history of the industry.

Came here with my 5 year old for her friends birthday party. Couldn't fault the service, we told them the child's name upon entry and that was that. The staff were so friendly and good with the kids.

A huge thank you to the staff at Lullymore, and a special thank to Myra,Kevin and Marie.We had our school tour with you yesterday and you all looked after us so well. The children and a fantastic day.

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park location pin icon

Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, R51 E036

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T: +353 45 870 238 E: [email protected]

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Now open everyday 10am to 6pm

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A global superpower and hotbed for innovation

Top destination facts

school tours primary school

Your students will be immersed in one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The USA is a 'melting pot' of culture. In addition to Native Americans who were already living on the continent, the population of the United States was built on immigration from other countries. American culture has a number of expressions and has been influenced by African, Native American, Asian, Polynesian and Latin American people. As a result, you will find many social subcultures in different parts of the United States.

school tours primary school

At the federal level, the United States has no official language, however English is considered de facto national language. Unsurprisingly, given its vast diversity of cultures, over 300 languages are spoken. Sadly, most languages native to the U.S territory have now become extinct. Surviving native language is threatened by mainstream culture.

school tours primary school

Students will love working their way through the unique blend of cuisine in the USA. Due to its vast size, the cuisine depends largely on geographic location. For example, in the state of Louisiana, their cooking is known for its use of cajun spice. American food however commonly uses ingredients such as turkey, corn and maple syrup.

Educational Student Experiences in the USA.

Offering a rich plethora of academic experiences, the USA is an ideal destination for your school trip abroad. Experience rich culture, visit iconic landmarks and participate in technology workshops at NASA. As a trip destination, the USA cannot be beaten.

On a school trip to the USA, you can expect: 

  • A focus on your student’s educational requirements.
  • Professional and dedicated educational providers.
  • School trip packages tailored to suit your schools budget, time frame, and objectives.

A school trip to the USA could mean studying robotics at NASA or participating in drama and music workshops on Broadway in New York. With stunning landscapes such as the Grand Canyon and Yosemite national park; to the world-famous cities of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, the USA is a country full of contrasts and it offers something to meet every learning outcome.

Your school can experience educational tours in USA with Educating Adventures, students in front of San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge on a school trip

Take your students on an educational tour through the United States of America, with learning opportunities in STEM, geography, history and politics, and the arts.

Spark your students’ creative flair as you explore the world of high-tech innovation at Stanford University, Silicon Valley and NASA. Watch as your students are inspired on a history-fueled music trip through America’s deep south, where they will discover the beginnings of jazz and rock and roll.

"As a result of this trip, we have three students considering picking up mechanical engineering at university, and a host of students considering STEM-related A-Levels. An action-packed, awe-inspiring week away. I can't wait to go back next year!"

Teacher, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace, NASA STEM Trip, October 2018.

Featured trips.

Check out the academic trips available for your school in the USA. From STEM, business, geography and history, there’s a trip to suit your school and subject.

school tours primary school

STEM Educational Camps Orlando

Our 3-5 day Camp KSC programs enable your students to become fully immersed in space centre life and STEM learning.

school tours primary school

Geography Grand Canyon

Explore the links between natural and man-made wonders on a school trip to the Grand Canyon with Educating Adventures.

school tours primary school

Space Camp Huntsville Alabama

The ultimate Space Camp mission starts here at the birthplace of America’s space program.

school tours primary school

Space Center U Houston

Discover the world of robotics, rocketry and thermal protection systems at the Space Center University.

school tours primary school

USA History and Politics

Visit iconic landmarks and museums, and discover the history and politics of the USA.

school tours primary school

Silicon Valley STEM, Business and Technology

Embark on a STEM trip to the innovation and technology hub of the USA, Silicon Valley. See the head office of tech giants such as Intel and Google.

school tours primary school

Creative Arts & Drama USA

Students will experience the vibrant arts and drama scene of New York City and LA on this once in a lifetime educational experience.

school tours primary school

New York Creative and Drama

Creative students will thrive on this New York City school trip. With four days of Broadway workshops and hands on experiences at the best galleries in NYC, this tour is sure to inspire your students.

USA STEM: NYC, Washington DC, Orlando

Your students will love taking part in Kennedy Space Center programs that give them a glimpse into what their futures may hold in the STEM industry

What you can expect

school tours primary school

We have a comprehensive safety plan. We ensure that you're in good hands.

school tours primary school

Professional local trip representatives providing 24 hour support.

school tours primary school

Operating since 2006 with consistently positive feedback on service, communication and value.

school tours primary school

School tour specialists, providing comprehensive teacher resources.

school tours primary school

Teachers travel free on all of our school tours.

school tours primary school

Bespoke educational trips, customized to meet your educational requirements and budget.

Get fascinating insights on planning and running a school trip!

school tours primary school

The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9231. www.atol.org.uk

school tours primary school

Educating Adventures™ is part of the Educating Adventures™ Group

school tours primary school

School Trips

Our specialist team has extensive knowledge of our destinations, and will work with you to get the very best out of your educational trip.

For students of all ages, school trips are a fantastic opportunity to head on an adventure and learn outside the classroom.  If you’re struggling for high school trip ideas, we have a range of destinations suitable for all kinds of subjects available.  

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Award winning School Tours from education travel experts

We make it our priority to create fantastic learning experiences tailored for students at all levels, including primary school trips, subject-led secondary school tours and great value sixth form tours combining A Level studies with developing independence.

We utilise our years of experience to create tailor-made itineraries for a whole host of Subjects

We can tailor make a superb itinerary to meet your Key Stage 2 learning objectives

Students will have fun with their peers, while keeping A Level learning front and centre.

Our expert History Guides bring learning alive through story telling and interactive experiences

Exclusive Sports festivals, tours and tickets to international events for school sports teams and clubs

Exclusive subject specific Disney seminars and workshop-based educational programmes

We take the hassle out of trip planning

You can book with confidence safe in the knowledge that you are working with a team of educational travel experts, who are proud to hold the Customer Service Excellence accreditation. This means that our service to you is externally verified to check that we actually do what we say we do.

View our trips

Search by type, destination, subject and more to find a trip that fits your needs

Get a quote

Start your quote now and chat with our friendly team of experts to help us understand your exact need

Receive your itinerary

We’ll plan and organise an itinerary specific to your needs and provide all the planning resources you need

Bon voyage!

Count down the days to your trip and get ready to make memories.

Latest news and articles

Our educational trips are designed to enhance learning and link to the relevant curriculum. Find out about our selection of curriculum-linked trips.

Our Learning Outcomes Mind Map highlights where learning outside the classroom can prove an effective means of achieving educational aims...

If you want to know more about how to write a report on a school trip, we can help.

For those in the study fields of climate change, the environment and sustainability, Keele University is top of the list of UK-based institutions.

Ready to plan your trip?

Popular trips for schools.

  • Belgium & France
  • International Relations 1870-1990, The Great War
  • Expert guide support
  • Study the causes of the First World War
  • End of the Third Reich
  • Memorials to the victims of National Socialism
  • Disneyland® Paris
  • Make memories that will last a lifetime
  • Develop skills, grow in confidence, and enjoy new competition
  • Disneyland® Paris, France
  • Hands-on workshops
  • Meet professionals
  • The science behind theme park design
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Performing Arts
  • Watch a West End Theatre show
  • Go backstage at the National Theatre
  • Euro Space Centre, Belgium
  • Shuttle Mission Simulation
  • Astronaut Training Simulators
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Explore Barcelona’s city centre on a walking tour with a local guide
  • Practice your culinary skills and vocabulary with MasterChef Barcelona
  • Isle Of Wight, United Kingdom
  • Enrichment & Reward
  • Enjoy an Island Gems Fossil trip and find footprint casts left behind by dinosaurs
  • Take a boat ride and chair lift at the beautiful Alum Bay and the Needles

Get a quote today and let’s start our journey together

Please select a type of trip below:

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School Trips Abroad

Select School Tours organises educational school trips and tours that promise unforgettable experiences for both teachers and students.

Choose from a variety of destinations from school trips to France ,   Germany , Italy , and Spain and subjects such as French , Computer Science , and Food Technology . We have a school trip for everyone depending on the curriculum focus and needs of your students. We have more than 40 years of experience in creating carefully planned itineraries in some of the worlds top cities including Berlin , Munich , Barcelona , Andalucia , and more. All offering exceptional learning opportunities for students.

Build life skills on a school trip overseas

In addition to academic learning, international school trips will help your pupils build important life skills, like independence, resilience and empathy.

Students can immerse themselves in a different culture and practice their language skills in a native-speaking environment, returning home more confident, culturally aware, and ready to take on the world.

We’ll handle all the logistics

You can leave the logistics to us – whether you’re going on an affordable school trip to Normandy or a complete tour of New York and Washington , we can handle everything from transportation to accommodation and experience bookings. We also provide a 24-hour emergency contact while you’re on tour, so you’ll have someone to call if there are any problems.

Ready to go? With a focus on safety (stf certified), we’re fully ABTA bonded, ATOL protected, contact your regional Travel Advisor or get in touch to request a quick quote and start your journey with Select School Tours today.

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Without a doubt, Sarah promised me a holiday of a lifetime for my pupils and she (along with the rest of the team) delivered. I was very impressed indeed with every aspect of the trip from my initial conversation with Sarah through to my return journey home – Thank you!

Mr Field, Redhill School

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36 Hours in Geneva!

If your budget is tight and you’re short on time, why not explore this cosmopolitan city, home to a host of international organisations, with the bonus of beautiful mountain [...]

Educational School Trip Trends for 2024/2025

Educational School Trip Trends for 2024/2025

Planning a school trip can be an exciting endeavor, and there are numerous possibilities depending on your location, budget, and the interests of the students. We have pulled together [...]

The Benefits of Educational School Trips from a Teacher’s Perspective

From teacher to Travel Advisor! The Benefits of Educational School Trips from a Teacher’s Perspective

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  • June 7, 2024   •   30:00 Real Teenagers, Fake Nudes: The Rise of Deepfakes in American Schools
  • June 6, 2024   •   23:38 The Fight Over the Next Pandemic
  • June 5, 2024   •   30:42 Biden’s Push to End the War in Gaza
  • June 4, 2024   •   29:17 A Conversation With President Zelensky
  • June 3, 2024   •   32:07 How Trump’s Conviction Could Reshape the Election
  • May 31, 2024   •   31:29 Guilty
  • May 30, 2024   •   25:21 The Government Takes On Ticketmaster
  • May 29, 2024   •   29:46 The Closing Arguments in the Trump Trial
  • May 28, 2024   •   25:56 The Alitos and Their Flags
  • May 24, 2024   •   25:18 Whales Have an Alphabet
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  • May 22, 2024   •   23:20 Biden’s Open War on Hidden Fees

Real Teenagers, Fake Nudes: The Rise of Deepfakes in American Schools

Students are using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates..

Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Featuring Natasha Singer

Produced by Sydney Harper and Shannon M. Lin

Edited by Marc Georges

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Elisheba Ittoop and Dan Powell

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Warning: this episode contains strong language, descriptions of explicit content and sexual harassment

A disturbing new problem is sweeping American schools: Students are using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates and then share them without the person depicted even knowing.

Natasha Singer, who covers technology, business and society for The Times, discusses the rise of deepfake nudes and one girl’s fight to stop them.

On today’s episode

Natasha Singer , a reporter covering technology, business and society for The New York Times.

A girl and her mother stand next to each other wearing black clothing. They are looking into the distance and their hair is blowing in the wind.

Background reading

Using artificial intelligence, middle and high school students have fabricated explicit images of female classmates and shared the doctored pictures.

Spurred by teenage girls, states have moved to ban deepfake nudes .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, Nina Lassam and Nick Pitman.

Natasha Singer writes about technology, business and society. She is currently reporting on the far-reaching ways that tech companies and their tools are reshaping public schools, higher education and job opportunities. More about Natasha Singer

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COMMENTS

  1. The school visit: what to look for, what to ask

    Before your visit. Do your homework. Read about the schools you'll be visiting. Examine their school profiles on GreatSchools.org. Talk to other parents and check your local newspaper for articles about the schools. Contact the school. Most schools conduct regular school tours and open houses during the enrollment season — typically in the ...

  2. Home

    The "Fun Academy School Tour" is the Premier School Tour for Primary Schools in Ireland. We are a group of experienced Physical Education teachers and we offer a huge range of activities for your students to enjoy. Enjoy amazing activities including Swimming, Waterslide Inflatable, Co-operative Team Challenges, Dodgeball, Tug of War ...

  3. Everything You Need to Know About School Tours

    Going on a school tour is a great way to learn about potential schools for your child. Some of the main reasons to tour a school include: Seeing classrooms in action: School tours often give you a chance to observe a classroom, allowing you to see what your child's day-to-day learning environment will look like. Having the opportunity to ask questions: Asking questions can be incredibly ...

  4. School Tours and Ideas for Schools in Ireland

    Activities in the Educational and Recreational programme for primary and secondary school students. read more. Stonehall Wildlife Park. Offers an environment that is fun, unique, and educational and where students will have the ability to interact with the wildlife ... Leahy's Open Farm have been providing School Tour trips around their farm ...

  5. 10 questions to ask when you visit a primary school

    Look at the relationships in the school. "The relationships between the kids and the teachers are key. Look carefully to see if the teachers are paying individual attention to the children." Get to know the head teacher. "It's really important to have a chat with the head teacher.

  6. 30+ Questions to Ask When Touring a School

    How much of their school day is devoted to electives? 25. How is the school day structured? Things to Observe. If visiting during the school year, make sure to pay close attention to the students currently attending that school. Observing current students offers a pretty good indication of the school environment. 26.

  7. 6 Steps To A Successful School Tour

    Since school tours were on hold for an extended time and virtual tours became the go-to, school leaders may be a little out of practice conducting a seamless school tour. These six steps to a successful school tour will help ensure families don't walk away from your school without wanting to sign those enrollment forms! #1: Continue to Offer ...

  8. The School Tour Company

    Our focus is to ensure that the students learn as much as possible from the school tour experience by making itineraries varied, stimulating and action packed.Without question we feel, and have been told by many of our clients, that the relationship between the teacher and students dramatically improves following a school tour experience and students are more driven to succeed.

  9. School Tour Recommendations from Teachers

    School Tour Recommendations from Teachers. I recently asked teachers who follow me on Instagram for ideas for school tours around Ireland. I'm putting their answers below, hopefully you'll find a suitable tour for your class. I will just include links to the relevant websites rather than prices etc. as these can change each year.

  10. Cliste.ie

    Bí Cliste - visit our online directory of 603 school tours, trips, workshops and speakers in Ireland. Tailor-made for Irish schools. Up-to-date information for 2023. ... Arts and cultural activities for primary and secondary schools covering a wide range of subjects and interests. Cliste! > Categories > Artistic Activities. 37.

  11. School Tours Ireland

    Just 4 Fun School Tours. Just 4 Fun School Tours are the Best Primary School Tours in Ireland, as awarded by the EU Business Awards for 2019. We help you to improve your active school lifestyle while providing a fun-filled, action-packed day and the added benefit of #kidshelpingkids. We are The Best Primary School Tour in Ireland!

  12. Find A School Tour

    We provide an all in one School Tour to Primary school children. Our school tours are unique in that we provide multi-activity, fun/energetic activities, team building activites, while also supporting a fantastic charity. The tour day is challenging, energetic, and fun for your pupils. We cater to children from Junior infants to sixth class.

  13. School Tour

    Primary School Tours to Lullymore. Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park has grown dramatically to become one of the leading national school tour destinations in our region. We feel that the reasons for this are the unique mix of education and fun, along with the professional but homely service we provide.

  14. Educational Field Trips for Elementary Students

    Learning outside the classroom is crucial, and that's why WorldStrides is accredited by the same educational bodies across North America and Canada that accredit K-12 schools. It allows us to offer students high school and college preparatory credit, and teachers free professional development. We even have a dedicated Curriculum and Academics ...

  15. School Tours

    YourDaysOut has 207 School Tours ideas and suggestions for you and all the family. School Tours are a big deal. The kids get a break from school and get to see cool things with their school friends. If you are looking for ideas for School Trips then YourDaysOut has you lots of ideas for Primary and Secondary School Tours, such as Museums, Gardens, Science Exhibits, Bowling, History Tours, Play ...

  16. School Tours around Dublin with sporting and outdoor activities

    Aqua ZOne. AquaZone is one of the most exciting attractions for Schools and Clubs throughout Ireland. We offer two school tour products at €16 per child - includes entry to AquaZone & Kids meal or €11 per child - includes entry to AquaZone.

  17. Top School Tours ideas and destinations for Primary and Secondary

    Water Based Activities. Find the perfect school tour for your class! The best fun school tours around Ireland, including Primary School Tours & Secondary School Tours.

  18. USA School Trips

    On a school trip to the USA, you can expect: A focus on your student's educational requirements. Professional and dedicated educational providers. School trip packages tailored to suit your schools budget, time frame, and objectives. A school trip to the USA could mean studying robotics at NASA or participating in drama and music workshops on ...

  19. Our Primary School Trips

    Primary School Trips to the Isle of Wight. Isle Of Wight, United Kingdom. Enrichment & Reward. Enjoy an Island Gems Fossil trip and find footprint casts left behind by dinosaurs. Take a boat ride and chair lift at the beautiful Alum Bay and the Needles.

  20. School Trips

    Award winning School Tours from education travel experts. We make it our priority to create fantastic learning experiences tailored for students at all levels, including primary school trips, subject-led secondary school tours and great value sixth form tours combining A Level studies with developing independence.

  21. Educational Discovery Tours: Student Travel Programs

    We have 82 years of combined experience helping educators plan school trips and student travel programs. This means you can focus on teaching and creating life-long memories while we attend to the details that will make your educational tour the experience of a lifetime. Teachers and parents alike tell us how our student travel programs and ...

  22. School Trips Abroad

    Select School Tours organises educational school trips and tours that promise unforgettable experiences for both teachers and students. Choose from a variety of destinations from school trips to France, Germany, Italy, and Spain and subjects such as French, Computer Science, and Food Technology.We have a school trip for everyone depending on the curriculum focus and needs of your students.

  23. School Tour Destinations offering Curriculum Field Trip based packages

    The perfect spot to host your primary school Tour. Experience reminders of the past and the lives of those who lived it. Discover a charming view of Ireland in a by-gone era. Students and teachers alike can experience the sights, sounds and smells of this enchanting Georgian House and traditional heritage farm.

  24. Real Teenagers, Fake Nudes: The Rise of Deepfakes in American Schools

    A disturbing new problem is sweeping American schools: Students are using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates and then share them without the person ...