Ex

At Equity, we’re dedicated to supporting young people in growing their confidence and independence through school travel. This extends beyond the trips themselves: we’re also passionate about helping students understand the opportunities within the travel industry and the many different careers that make educational travel possible.

In May, our Sales Manager, Helen Nicholls, joined students at Winchmore School as part of an in-house work experience programme designed for Year 10 students who were unable to take part in an external placement.

Exploring the world of educational travel

Winchmore School aims to give its Year 10 students the opportunity to complete a one-week work placement each April. While the majority of students are able to take part, the school also runs an in-house programme for those who remain on site, introducing them to a range of industries and sectors they might not have previously considered.

With many Winchmore students taking part in school trips organised through Equity during their time at the school, educational travel was a natural sector to explore.

Rather than simply listening to a presentation, students took on the role of interviewers, preparing questions for Helen about Equity and the wider travel industry. Their questions covered everything from choosing destinations and organising trips to risk assessments, accessibility and the practical considerations involved in making educational travel possible.

Careers behind the trips

The session also offered students an insight into the variety of roles involved in organising and delivering school travel.

Helen spoke about the different teams working behind the scenes, including Operations and Tour Co-ordination, Sales and Customer Support. While each role comes with its own responsibilities, they all contribute to the same goal: supporting schools and creating rewarding experiences for young people.

Students were particularly interested in what young people can gain from travelling, including greater confidence and independence, as well as how Equity supports students with different needs to ensure trips are accessible and inclusive.

“It was brilliant to speak with so many students and staff throughout the event,” said Helen. “I was particularly impressed by how engaged the students were and the quality of the questions they asked. It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm and curiosity, and it really highlighted the value these experiences can have beyond the classroom.”

For Winchmore School, the session provided an opportunity to connect something students already experience – school travel – with the wider world of work. For Equity, it was a chance to give young people a closer look at the people, skills and careers behind the trips they enjoy.

Educational travel can offer much more than a change of scenery. As the conversations at Winchmore demonstrated, it can also open up new perspectives, build confidence and introduce young people to opportunities they may not have considered before.