free school trips to pizza express

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Fresh Ideas and Inspiration for education

10 fantastic free school trips and visits.

In need of some ideas for free school trips? In the present climate, teachers are tending to organise fewer trips and visits for their classes than in years gone by. This may be for several reasons, firstly the cost - budgets are tight and each pound spent has to be seen to be worthwhile and secondly, they are time-consuming - they need to be carefully planned, have to be linked to learning and objectives (not simply to have a nice time – heaven forbid!) and must be assessed for every possible risk.

Despite all this, if teachers can manage to arrange school trips, they are still incredibly worthwhile because getting children out of the classroom can provide so many benefits, not least in social and emotional development and increasing confidence.

Here is our selection (in no particular order) of some of the best free experiences for your consideration.

1. veolia – waste management  and recycling.

Offering free downloads, lesson plans and worksheets, Veolia also offer school and club visits for educational purposes. Specific Veolia locations offer free school tours at their facilities . We have been lucky enough to go to one of these and it is truly fascinating. KS1 packs are available here .

2. Pizza Express

Pizza Express have been running free school visits since 1999 and have it down to a fine art! Children get the opportunity to visit the kitchen, learn about food hygiene, find out about the fresh ingredients, knead their own dough and make their own individual pizzas which are cooked and can be taken back to school for lunch! How brilliant and all free of charge! Booking can be made via the website .

The RSPB have teamed up with Aldi to offer ‘trained educators’ who will come to your school and work with you in your school grounds, not just learning about birds, but about wildlife in general. The 90 minute sessions are entitled: Giving Nature a Home, Bioblitz and Big Schools Birdwatch and are currently offered in 17 cities around the UK. There is more information as well as free resources on the website.

4. Warburtons

Warburtons offer schools visits for 5-11 year olds to learn about bread making, food and healthy eating. The sessions are practical and informative and 99% of teachers would book a second visit or recommend the experience. The school visitor programme has been running for 20 years and has reached almost 30 000 children. Find out more here .

5. English Heritage

English Heritage offer free visits to over 400 of their sites for self-led groups. There is also the offer of a free familiarisation visit so teachers are able to plan the sort of experience they would like their children to have. Visits must be booked at least 7 days in advance and all the locations are listed at the website here .

6. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)

The Trust offers free admission and optional learning session to eligible schools until December 2017. Eligibility is for state-funded schools where a high proportion of children on roll are eligible for free school meals. There are excellent reviews from teachers endorsing the experience. Find out more here .

7. RNLI (Royal National lifeboat Institution)

Free visits available to locations of your choice all over the country, or an RNLI volunteer will come to see you in your school or setting. The outreach team aims to teach and inspire children, not only about the rescue work of the lifeboat crews and lifeguards, but also about water safety in general. There is a large selection of resources, including lesson plans, videos, and activity sheets, available for children and young people from ages 3 – 18. Find out more here .

8. Local libraries

Local libraries are great places to visit. You would be surprised by how many children have never been to a library. Local libraries often have temporary exhibitions or free events on. You could walk to the library with extra support from parent helpers for the walk. Children could be encouraged to bring their library card if they have one and choose a book.

9. Local Nature Walk

A nature walk can be such a lovely experience with your class. Often parents will help too. Depending on the time of year and place that you can walk to, children can collect rubbings, leaves, conkers, blackberries. They could be issued with a ‘What to spot’ list to tick off as they go. What can they identify? Go on a bug hunt or try to identify sounds heard on the walk.

10. Fire Station visits

Some local fire stations will accommodate small groups for tours of the station. They will also run community fire safety workshops.

With thanks to Beverley Smalley and Charlotte Parry for writing this blog. Beverley is an education specialist, writer and former primary school teacher.

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Diary of a First Child

Pizza Express School Visits & Home Educators

Some time during last summer, we booked a home ed visit for one of the Pizza Express School Visit sessions, and though we had to wait several months for our session, we arrived on the agreed date and had a fantastic and informative visit.

Pizza Express School Visits offer groups the opportunity to not only see how pizza is made but also to get hands on and involved. For some children this is a brand new experience, of course, and for our group there was a mix of abilities too, considering our participants ranged from about 3 – 14 years.

They spoke about the different steps they went through, the chef demonstrated, and the children were able to take their own dough ball, and knead it, twist it and shape it into circles – they even got to toss it up into the air. 

They placed their circles into pizza trays, then prepared them as Margherita pizzas. Pizza hut dough is dairy free, so there were some dairy free pizzas and some regular.

There was a lot of spinning and fixing and sorting with the final touches – origanum and salt and pepper – added to finish.

While the pizzas were labelled and popped into the oven, the children had a tour of the kitchens, the fridges, and the fresh produce stores, before getting their pizzas back, and tucking in.

Pizza Express School Visits are open to any groups – they don’t have to be a school group –  and you can simply book up your space, free of charge. Each child gets to take away a pizza and the whole group learning experience is valuable and fun. It can be worth it to learn how to use a Pizza Oven – Pellethead , especially if you want to enjoy some delicious pizza.

You can book your own visit here .

Here’s a little video from Pizza Express to tell you more about it:

Fits with Year 2 Curriculum: Design and Technology Select materials and ingredients, measure, mark out, cut and shape materials to make something new

Author: Luschka

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Very cool event! Will consider it for our next birthday party.

Pizza Express School Visits & Home Educators https://t.co/7gGncEmGoD @Luschkavo

Pizza Express School Visits & Home Educators https://t.co/lVxnZ9Ja9C #34years #67 #byage #cooking #homelearning

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4 food related school trips

We look at four school trips with a tasty outlook on learning.

Source: Pixabay

There are a number of ways that you can teach your class about the food industry and healthy eating, with nods towards Science, History and Business Studies amongst the many curriculum links that these visits offer.

Initiatives such as the Tesco Eat Happy Project use online communication such as Google+ Hangouts to give children a virtual school trip. Those behind the Eat Happy Project say the approach will ensure that children from deprived backgrounds do not miss out, because it offers “a cheaper way of giving children access to overseas field trips”.

But sceptics say that the online ‘trips’ will never be able to match a genuine outdoors experience. From farm trips to learning how food is made in one of the most popular UK chain restaurants, here are five outside the classroom school trip ideas on how to keep your pupils hungry to learn.

1. Pizza Express

Yes, we’ve all eaten them – children and teachers alike – but do you really know what goes into making your favourite margherita?

If you want to find out then the Pizza Express chain runs free visits for local Primary schools, where the staff turn their kitchens into classrooms. A chef teaches your class how to make the pizza including how to knead the dough.

The kids should have a great experience while picking up some useful skills as well and an ingredients quiz should teach them about the various food stuffs that go into making their pizzas.

2. Walk Eat Talk Eat

Walk Eat Talk Eat leads foody tours around London and its not just relegating the school children to chicken nuggets and chips. The company takes students to street food markets, cafes, delis, restaurants and shops to see and taste different foods first-hand.

WETE has already done tours themed around celebratory food, food from around the world, traditional British food and sweets and treats.

Pupils will learn about the history of the area in which they tour. On the schools’ version of the East End tour they try mini pies from Spitalfields Market; visit one of the Bangladeshi shops on Brick Lane for a samosa or some pakora; go via a market stall to try some Italian street food; and finish with some unusual pastries from a shop that’s all about traditional British products.

2. Manor Farm

If you want to teach your class about how their food is produced, they can quite literally walk their way through the food chain on Manor Farm in Leicestershire; see wheat grow, bread made at the on-site bakery and loaves sold in the farm shop.

The farm hosts regular school visits throughout the year and takes a great deal of pride in passing on its excitement towards sustainable farming, and the food chain as a whole, to the next generation.

3. Weald & Downland Open Air Museum

For food education with a historical twist, this educational Kent attraction has a regular programme of domestic and craft demonstrations for students to join in with, including cooking in its Tudor kitchen and milling flour in its working watermill.

The Victorian Cooking workshop for Key Stage 2, which takes place in the onsite Walderton House, considers the contents of a 19th century grocer’s basket and where in the world it was grown. Students will compare what we may buy today with what was available to the family who lived in a house similar to Walderton in the Victorian era.

The class then helps with a simple Victorian recipe for drop scones, which will be cooked on a griddle over an open fire. At the end everyone will have the opportunity to sample the dish.

4. Food For Life

The Food for Life (FFL) project from the Soil Association encourages education about food and healthy eating. Initiatives such as its ‘Visit a Farm’ are aimed at getting children outdoors to experience a real working farm reconnecting them with where food comes from.

FFL has worked with farms across the UK to help them prepare for educational school visits, so pupils can get the most out of their trip. It suggest to schools that by building good links with their local farm, they may want to set up a regular programme of visits throughout the year and learn about the natural cycles from planting right through to harvesting.

Some schools have actually set up their own farmers markets on school grounds, inviting in local farmers and other suppliers to sell their produce.

FFL has created a farm finder so teachers can look up their local farms which are involved.

• Food & Drink

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The best free school trips & visits in Nottingham for 2020

Last updated: Jun 5th, 2024

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School trips don’t always have to have a price tag on them! For teachers who are after a free school trip or visit in Nottingham, we’ve got you covered. Whether you fancy a pizza-making activity at Pizza Express, a virtual reality experience from Severn Trent or an interactive session on all things feline from Cats Protection, there’s something to suit students of all ages.

Check out the best free school trips and visits in Nottingham for 2020!

School visit from Cats Protection Nottingham

Suitable for: Primary school, secondary school, college, youth groups & adults Location: Nationwide – adoption centre is located in Nuthall, Nottingham

Teach your students about cat welfare, how to be a responsible owner and much more with a free school visit from the Community Education Officer of Cats Protection. The session is designed to educate in a fun and engaging way, involving visual aids, props, animations, plus Q&A sessions to keep the attention of everyone in your classroom.

Cats Protection will adapt this session to suit the age of your group, whether that’s primary, secondary or even adults!

Want to know more? For more information or to book a visit, take a look at the education section of the Cats Protection website .

School visit from Severn Trent

Suitable for: Primary school & community groups Location: Nationwide

Severn Trent offer free activities and site visits for primary schools to help children learn about how and why to stay hydrated , as well as the importance of not wasting water . Opt for an assembly session and follow-on workshop, where you can choose between a classroom-based workshop or a workshop in one of their amazing interactive buses!

They’ll bring the bus to your school or community centre and provide an engaging style of learning. Through interactive games and virtual reality , students can trace the journey of a raindrop, step into the role of a water worker and learn about the importance of water as a resource.

Want to know more? For more information, visit the Severn Trent website and register your interest in a school visit or tour.

School visit from Warburtons

Suitable for: Primary school Location: Nationwide

Warburtons has run a National School Visitor Programme for over 20 years, visiting schools across the nation to help educate 5-11 year-old primary school pupils about bread making, food hygiene and healthy eating . So far, the initiative has helped over 30,000 children across the UK increase their knowledge through creative and interactive workshops.

Want to know more? To apply for a school visit, go to Warburtons School Visitors for more information.

School trip to Pizza Express

Suitable for: Primary school Location: Nottingham

Get your students excited about cooking with a free school visit to Pizza Express. Held at the restaurant, students will spend a lively morning chopping their ingredients, kneading their dough and topping their pizzas , as well as learning about the importance of food hygiene .

Whilst the pizzas are cooking, the ‘Ingredients Quiz’ will keep everyone entertained as they taste and learn about different ingredients! A great way to expose them to new food, new skills and get them cooking at home. And of course they get to take their pizzas home.

Want to know more? For more information about booking a visit, contact Pizza Express by clicking here .

School visit from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Suitable for: Primary school & above Location: Nationwide

Help your class learn about water safety with a free school visit from a Royal National Lifeboat Institution volunteer. They’ll come into your school and educate your students on topics including sea and sand safety, how lifeboat rescues work, the history of the RNLI, the work of a charity, volunteering and much more.

Delivered by trained volunteers and lifeguards, presentations are designed to be interactive and informative, equipping students with the knowledge they need to stay safe and inspire them by the lifesaving work of RNLI volunteers.

For more information or to book a visit, take a look at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution website.

School trip to Trent Lock

Suitable for: Primary school & above Location: Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire

A visit to Trent Lock is a great way to introduce your students to canal history and wildlife . A guided walk will let them see both the flowing River Trent and the start of the Erewash Canal, as well as help them understand the difference between canals and rivers. Whilst workshops can focus on local history, wildlife or STEM.

Your class can even take part in a free fishing taster session at Trent Lock ! The Let’s Fish! sessions will give your students the chance to be active outdoors and connect to nature, as well as study the species that live within our waterways and how the Canal & River Trust looks after them.

From building confidence, co-ordination and patience, to teaching them about water safety, conduct and behaviour, the session offers a number of valuable learning outcomes.

The majority of the Let’s Fish! sessions are held between April and October and open to all ages.

Want to know more? For more information or to book a visit, take a look at the Canal & River Trust website. Alternatively, find out more about the free Let’s Fish! activity here .

School visit from VEOLIA School Waste Action Club

Suitable for: Primary school & secondary school Location: Nottingham

Designed to educate students on reducing, reusing and recycling school waste, the Schools Waste Action Club (SWAC) can deliver free practical lessons and waste-themed assemblies for schools.

Starting with an engaging assembly, the visit follows on with a range of classroom-based, hands-on activities given by a SWAC Education Officer. Activities include making recycled paper, rubbish relay, designing a waste-free lunch and more – all aimed to raise awareness and kick-start behavioural change.

Activities vary to suit primary school and secondary school students.

Want to know more? For more information about arranging a visit, get in touch with VEOLIA today.

School visit from the Japan Society

Since 1991, the JIYC programme has provided free school visits by trained Japanese volunteers, bringing all things Japan into the classroom for over 100,000 children.

Visits are tailored to your needs, ranging from a general introduction to Japan, to sessions that are designed to fit in with your school’s literacy or numeracy programmes. Projects that students can also get involved in include the World Children’s Haiku Contest and Photography Project, whilst various online teaching resources are also available.

For more information about booking a trained Japanese volunteer to speak at your school, get in touch with the Japan Society today .

School trip to Rufford Abbey Country Park

Suitable for: Primary school & above Location: Rufford, Nottinghamshire

Rufford Abbey Country Park is free to the public, making it the perfect place to learn about nature whilst having a few fun options to experience, including the free Adventure Play Area! The park is built mainly to accommodate families who want a fun day, with paid seasonal events also planned throughout the year, including KS2 activity sessions.

Free trails and areas available are:

• The Abbey Meadow
• The Formal Gardens
• The Reg Hookway Arboretum
• Adventure Play Area

Paid activities are also available, such as:

• Adventure golf
• Ice cream parlour
• Themed trails
• Sheep Meadow
• Lime Tree Avenue

Parking charges typically range from £2-£4 per car. Visit the Rufford Abbey Country Park website to be updated with the latest information.

Group travel specialists since 1965, Rayburn Tours is an independent, family-run business that organises tailor-made educational trips , sports tours , music tours and ski trips for schools. Get in touch with our team today for more information about how we can help you and your students.

Pizza Express London

Enjoy a pre-booked group meal at one of the London Pizza Express restaurants.

You will enjoy a 2-course meal and a soft drink (squash).

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Year 1 Trip to Pizza Express

Posted: 9th November 2022

On a lovely autumn morning, Year 1 set off to Kew Village to make pizzas. We were warmly greeted by the staff at the restaurant. It was then off to wash our hands and with aprons and hats, a few on askew, we were ready to begin.

After spreading the tomato passata all over our pizza bases the children were given mozzarella to add as a topping. The pizzas were then ready to be put into the oven to bake and soon the restaurant was filled with a wonderful aroma. The children thoroughly enjoyed their hands-on experience of touching the dough. Back at school, we all sat down to enjoy our delicious pizzas.

A big thank you to our parent helpers Mrs Habba and Mrs Mace for helping us to make our pizzas!

How to Contact Us

Our next open morning is on Friday 27th September 2024. To book your place, visit our open morning page

Pizza Express giving away free pizzas across the UK this week - how to get one

Pizza Express says customers who "earn their stripes" will be rewarded with their choice of a free classic, vegan or gluten-free Margherita pizza across all of its restaurants in the UK

• 15:01, 6 Feb 2024

Thousands of Brits can get their hands on free pizza this week from Pizza Express as it celebrates National Pizza Day.

The popular high street restaurant is giving away free pizza to customers who wear a stripy t-shirt to their restaurants on Friday this week. The stripy t-shirt is a nod to the restaurant chain's monochrome uniforms for workers. Pizza Express says customers who "earn their stripes" will be rewarded with their choice of a free classic, vegan or gluten-free Margherita pizza . Romana pizza bases and extra toppings are sadly not part of the freebie.

To claim the free pizza, customers simply need to arrive in their stripey top at any Pizza Express. However, these freebies are never that simple and those who want to bag themselves some free food will need to be quick as the restaurant only has 14,000 free pizzas up for grabs.

Each Pizza Express site has around 40 National Pizza Day tokens up for grabs and they will be given out on a "first come first serve" basis. The offer will run all day until 4pm - so to claim the freebie you need to be seated by this time. According to Pizza Express' terms and conditions, you will be able to claim the freebie if:

• You wear a black and white striped t-shirt
• Receive one of our "National Pizza Day" promotion tokens
• Are seated by 4pm

There is no minimum spend for this deal so you may not have to pay anything for your lunch at Pizza Express this Friday - even if you are in a group. If you are in a group, the diners who meet the conditions above can claim the promotion. For example, if two people visit our pizzeria together but only one is wearing a striped t-shirt, then only the person in the striped t-shirt can get the freebie. If both customers are wearing a striped t-shirt, they may receive one free pizza each.

This offer is only available for those dining in the Pizza Express restaurant so you cannot claim the freebie for takeaway orders. You also will not be able to claim it alongside any partner offers like Tesco Clubcard or UNiDAYS.

Paula MacKenzie, CEO at PizzaExpress, said: “This National Pizza Day sees us pay homage to our incredible pizza chefs, through celebrating our iconic black and white stripes. Stripes have played a huge part in our identity, dating back to 1965, so don your stripes and celebrate National Pizza Day with the original Margherita pizza, for free!”

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