Do I need to use a tour operator?

The simple answer is "no".  There is nothing preventing you from organising every aspect of a tour yourself.  And whether you use a tour operator or not, you will have to take care of getting authority for the tour, publicising it, collecting payments from pupils, and by no means least important, collecting a team of colleagues to work with you right through the tour until return.

If you choose to do it all yourself, then you need to consider booking accommodation, visits, transport (coach and ferry for example) and making payments for these as they fall due.  As you are responsible for children, you really should have safety audits for coach and accommodation, carried out either by yourself or some trustworthy organisation.

If you use a tour operator, especially one in membership of the School Travel Forum, you may be sure that the safety elements have been attended to.  You should also expect a level of expertise about the places you are visiting and your reasons for going there.

A good operator will discuss your requirements, academic and social, and suggest suitable places to stay and to visit.