A School Trip with Group Leaders: A Different Kind of Trip!

Times have changed, and practically every school routine that today’s parents experienced in their own day has been modified — in many cases not so very long ago. From the introduction of new technology in the classroom to the emergence of new ways of working both inside and outside school, change is the order of the day, beyond the sweeping global shifts in Education Law.

One of these developments is closely linked to the school trips that schools organise. There is a growing shift away from outings that are primarily cultural in nature, towards residential experiences in the natural environment — with all the planning and management that entails. As a result, it is increasingly common to find School Trips in which leisure and free-time Group Leaders are hired to supervise the activities.

But what is positive about this?

To begin with, group leaders get off on the right foot with the pupils. Children and young people do not see them as their parents or teachers — who are, in many cases, rivals per se — but approach them with far greater familiarity and without an air of mistrust, which makes it considerably easier to engage them throughout the activities. Group leaders are also professionals in the field — in most cases — who know perfectly well how to break the ice with participants and win them over.

The school’s teachers on the trip

The teachers, for their part, can relax enormously, especially in terms of responsibility. There have been numerous occasions on which teachers have told us: «from the moment we arrived and saw how you took charge of them, we were at ease because they were always under control.» In this way, teachers go from being the «bad guy» to being a truly wonderful companion for the pupils, who can enjoy a far more natural relationship with their teachers. Worthy of special mention in this regard is overnight supervision: the teachers can rest soundly whilst the group leaders settle the youngsters down for the night. In the words of many of these teachers, «that is priceless.»

Activities managed by professionals

The activities carried out by sector professionals on these school trips with group leaders are virtually guaranteed to be a success. It will be the school and the teachers who have devised the programme, focusing the activities on the main objective of the trip — but these group leaders, full of energy and resourcefulness, make each activity even more special by taking charge of supervision and organisation at every moment.

Improving how the young people get along

Finally, in the case of conflict resolution — yes, conflicts can arise in any shared living situation — the group leaders can also play an active role that is beneficial to the school’s educational aims: always acting in accordance with what the teachers decide, the group leaders can take a close-knit approach with the boys and girls, who appreciate the «understanding» shown to them.

In short, a school trip with group leaders is a positive experience both for the participants and for the teachers responsible for the organisation, whether we are talking about a Primary or a Secondary school trip. The experience gains in peace of mind, safety, good atmosphere, and organisation, leaving the teachers a far more personalised role in which they share time with their pupils rather than giving orders.

Our related articles and guides on school trips that may interest you:

Benefits of a Primary School End-of-Year Trip

What Are School Trips?

How Do School Trips Work?

Why Go on a School Trip?

How to Choose a School Trip?