Why take a school group away for a tour?

The very basic question, and one which I think has both obvious and less obvious answers.

If you are looking at GCSE, AS and A2 level, then you are almost certainly looking for subject-specific enhancement for the work done in the classroom.  Historians will want to visit the sites which they are studying, Art teachers the galleries containing the work they want their pupils to appreciate.

At Key Stage 3 and below, the reasons may be different.  Yes - of course, a history teacher whose course includes World War 1 might wish to take a group to the Battlefields, but in the early secondary years, there is also good reason to take groups away for social reasons.

A few days with your year 7s and 8s in a foreign country, but not too far from home, is an excellent way of building morale and friendships - it also permits the pupils to see that their teachers do not exist only in the classroom.

If you are thinking of taking such a group, then I think you need to have a full programme of visits included, at least one each morning and each afternoon of your trip, with evening events such as ten-pin bowling and group quizzes.