Teachers Talk Radio invited PGL Beyond’s Dr John Allan and NST customer Will Aitken to the podcast to discuss the benefits, barriers and best practices of educational travel.
On a recent Teachers Talk Radio podcast, Will Aitken, Head of Student Wellbeing at Accrington Academy, joined Dr John Allan, Head of Impact & Breakthrough Learning at PGL Beyond, to discuss the transformative power of school trips – and why, despite increasing challenges, they remain one of the most valuable experiences a young person can have.
From helping a student navigate their first night away from home, to watching eyes light up at the sight of elephants in Africa, Will Aitken has seen firsthand how school trips shape lives, and provide a neutral space where students of all backgrounds and cultures are given a shared experience.
“Everyone is equal on a school trip,” said Will. “It doesn’t matter your background, your wealth, your race, your religion, gender – none of that matters. When you’re on a school trip, everyone gets to experience [the same thing]. School trips really are the ultimate equaliser.”
Barriers are real – but so are the solutions
In the wake of Brexit, COVID, and the cost-of-living crisis, organising international trips at times is more complex. But as to Will, those barriers are not insurmountable – especially with NST’s expert help.
“We did have one issue with a student who wasn’t allowed entrance into the US,” Will recalled. “NST worked alongside us with that, and they were great.” He praised NST – and its sister brands EST and PGL, all under the PGL Beyond umbrella – for being responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout.
Whether it’s understanding complex visa requirements, organising risk assessments, or keeping families informed, NST has been a key partner for Accrington Academy, especially thanks to their “absolutely fantastic” account manager. “Any concerns, any issues we’ve had, she’s been there to answer them, even when we’re away. There’s a 24-hour line that we can call to combat any issues. it gives us that one main point of contact for all the trips that we do. It’s really good having that one-to-one help with someone who we’ve grown to trust.”
Will noted that financial barriers remain a critical issue, but cited that PGL Beyond is actively working to mitigate them. “PGL in particular have a hardship fund [learn more about the PGL Breakthrough Fund here] and have an APP fund for schools, said Will. “PGL is great with that and ensure that we get absolutely everything that we can.”
Crucially, these efforts make school trips accessible to students of all backgrounds, especially those from those less privileged or underserved groups.
NST customer and Head of Student Wellbeing at Accrington Academy, Will Aitken joined Dr John Allan, Head of Impact & Breakthrough Learning at PGL Beyond on Teachers Talk Radio
More than just a break from the classroom
These experiences, both grand and small, offer more than a break from routine. They foster independence, social confidence, and lasting emotional growth. In reference to annual thank you cards he gets from students, Will noted that “They always mention the positive influence these trips have had on them; how they’ve changed their lives, how they have become better people.”
Dr John Allan backed this up with hard evidence from his 2024 study published in the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning: “We measured a 36% increase in resilience from hundreds of young people. The earlier we can get them exposed to these experiences, it’s likely they’re going to do better in terms of mental health, well-being, academic attainment, you name it.”
He also emphasised how crucial these experiences are for students’ future prospects. “Employers and higher education establishment are looking for people that have these really embedded soft skills. Academic qualifications are seen as really important, but underpinning that is this capability to be able to be resilient, to be able to be creative, think critically, and these are the really essential skills that develop through these formative experiences.”
“We need to break those barriers down,” said John, “We know that the more that young people are exposed to those experiences, the more likely they are to be able to adapt when they get back home.”
Thanks to the comprehensive, supportive approach offered by NST and its sister brands in the educational travel space, schools like Accrington Academy can continue to make school trips not just possible, but transformative.
Want to know how NST can help your school organise unforgettable, life-changing trips? Visit School trips from the leading school travel company | NST to find out more.
