Complete educational trip advice, guidance and

Schools’ Pack
Complete educational trip advice, guidance and resource package
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0845 257 9898 | www.thekingsferry.co.uk
0845 257 9898 | www.thekingsferry.co.uk
What we do
for schools
At The Kings Ferry we believe that
an educational visit can be the
ultimate learning experience.
For over 40 years The Kings Ferry
has helped teachers and group
leaders plan and organise a huge
variety of school trips.
Learning outside
the classroom
When planned and implemented well, learning outside the
classroom contributes significantly to raising standards and
improving pupils’ personal, social and emotional development.
The Kings Ferry coach hire company has an impressive track
record of involvement in a wide range of learning outside the
classroom activities for both primary and secondary school groups,
including:
•
Transporting students for participation in drama productions,
concerts and other special events.
•
Transporting students to clubs, musical groups and sporting
activities held during break-times and before or after the end of
the school day.
•
Educational and fun visits organised within the school day.
•
Residential visits that take place during the school week, a
weekend or holiday.
As an award winning coach
operator we will make sure that
your trip really hits the mark. The
Kings Ferry can provide a range of
vehicles to suit your needs.
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Our comprehensive school’s
pack is designed to help
you with every aspect of
organising your school trip,
whether it be the venue,
health and safety guidance or
help with parent letters - not
to mention safe and reliable
transport .
The Schools’ Pack:
We will work with you to ensure
your trip is well planned and that it
meets your study requirements and
budget. In addition we will always
endeavour to go a little bit further to
make your trip extra special!
•
Pre packaged transport
and venue deals.
•
Venue guide.
•
Preferential school rates.
So whatever the age and size of
your group and wherever you want
to go in the UK or Europe, get in
touch and let The Kings Ferry take
the hard work out of planning your
next school trip.
•
CRB checked and
knowledgeable drivers.
•
Health and Safety
declaration.
•
Legal compliance.
•
Letter templates for
parents.
DISCLAIMER
While the guidance in this booklet has been
prepared with every care, The Kings Ferry
strongly recommends teachers consult current
guidance, and accepts no responsibility for
errors resulting from changes in Government
and Education Authority policy. This booklet
does not assign any additional duties and
responsibilities to The Kings Ferry other than
those required by law.
What they say
about us
“Just to say a HUGE thank you for
organising our London trip last Friday.
Taking 2 coaches, 5 classes and
a variety of parents was a big
undertaking for me especially in these
days of Risk Assessment and Health
and Safety! Kings Ferry took away a
big chunk of the worry; the coaches
were spotless and drivers kindly! The
Blue Guides which you hired for us
were excellent. In 20 years of booking
coaches for trips I have to say that I
have never had a better company to
deal with. We will definitely use you
again!”
Mary Yearsley
Acting Head of Lower School
St Edmunds Junior School
“We have just come back from a ski
trip visit to Zell Am See, Austria. This
is the second time we have travelled
with King’s Ferry and once again your
professionalism and expertise made
everything run smoothly.
Our drivers ensured we were kept up
to date during our trip there and back.
Our next trip will be in 2014 and I look
forward to seeing King’s Ferry’s name
on our confirmation details!
Thank you for making our trip!”
Charlotte Ball
Hetton School
So whether you need to transport your class to their weekly
swimming lesson or you are planning a GCSE history trip The
Kings Ferry can help.
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The
Schools’
Pack
Demelza House
Trip to Chessington World of Adventures
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“Thank you for a wonderful Olympic
trip put on by The King’s Ferry. The
whole school enjoyed it, staff and
boys alike, and the sun eventually
came out! Everything went like
clockwork and the itinerary worked
out very well for us, the guides
were brilliant and gave very ‘age
appropriate’ talks to the children,
please pass on our thanks, and to the
drivers too..”
Anne Hill (Mrs)
Secretary & Clerk to the Governors
Solefield School
“All of The Kings Ferry drivers are
always great and do their best to
help us but today Paul went well out
of his way to help both myself and
the school staff with the 2 children in
wheelchairs. His involvement today
has enabled 2 disabled children
who would never normally have the
opportunity to visit the countryside
and experience going in a river to
have that chance and Paul’s help
made a day that had a lot of difficult
logistics that bit easier for everyone
involved!”
Tracy Watts
Deputy Head of Centre
Widehorizons Horton Kirby Centre
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0845 257 9898 | www.thekingsferry.co.uk
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Why we are
different...and better
Awarded Best British Coach
Operator/Best Large Coach
Operator of the Year on seventeen
separate occasions, The Kings
Ferry’s pedigree speaks for itself!
With many other accolades to
our name including numerous
consumer certificates, we have no
intention of resting on our laurels.
Your choice of coach hire should
not simply be a matter of price
comparison. You may well be
offered a price for an ‘executive’
coach. However, interpretation of
‘executive’ can vary dramatically
from operator to operator! With
many operators having no
hesitation about providing low
specification, ageing vehicles for
school visits.
At The Kings Ferry, we do not
regard school pupils as secondclass citizens; you will always
receive a modern, air conditioned
coach, fully-equipped for touring
with a toilet facility if required.
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Our drivers are the pride of our
company. They are well-trained,
uniformed and are provided with
top quality back-up at our base at
Gillingham – purpose-built to
be one of the most modern
coach centres in the UK. Routes
are fully prepared, and driver
records meticulously maintained
and monitored to the complete
satisfaction of the authorities.
Awards
• Crowned ‘Best British Coach
Operator’ many times.
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Route One ‘Operator
Excellence Awards’, ‘Coach
Operator Innovation of the
Year’ (for land yachts) ‘Large
Coach Operator of the Year’
(for 31+ seat vehicles).
37 awards in total since 1992
including Coach Industry
Awards and South Eastern
Coach Operator Association.
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A few
things you
should
know
A health
and safety
guide
Seat allocation
It makes a great deal of
sense to allocate each
pupil a seat which becomes
their responsibility. In our
experience this minimises
any potential for vandalism.
For many teachers,
organising a school trip is
often a very demanding task,
but with ‘The School’s Pack’
from The Kings Ferry, we’ve
got it covered!
Teacher/escort seating
We recommend teachers or
escorts are positioned near
all emergency exits generally
at the rear and the middle
of the coach, this helps
maintain discipline.
Toilets
We are happy to issue the
toilet key to your nominated
teacher for issue to any pupil
requiring the toilet.
Seat belts
Seat belts are mandatory
and must be worn at all
times.
Tolls
Road tolls and coach
parking fees may NOT be
included in the hire charge
for your coach.
Refreshments
If pupils are expected
to bring a packed lunch,
please ask parents to avoid
chewing gum or chocolate.
Hot and cold drinks are
available at 60p on request.
No glass bottles are
permitted on the coaches.
Entertainment
All Kings Ferry vehicles are
fitted with DVD player. Any
DVD must be chosen and
supplied by the school to
ensure it is appropriate for
the age group.
As you will know, the
Department for Education
and Employment has now
produced guidelines for
teachers organising school
trips. These health and
safety measures place
responsibility on teachers to
check every aspect of your
pupils’ journey, including
the competence of your
chosen travel partners. At
The Kings Ferry, we take
our responsibilities in this
partnership very seriously
indeed.
This booklet was compiled
using the DfEE’s own
guidance, answering the
questions you will need
to ask us before booking
your trip. We hope we have
covered all the major points,
but if there are any other
questions in your mind – or
you would like to ask more
general questions about
planning school transport –
please do not hesitate to get
in touch.
What the DfEE
guidance says
Everything you need to know to safeguard
the health and safety of pupils on
educational visits, are addressed in the
latest guidance.
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On any school trip with a large
number of children we recommend
a trained first aider is in attendance
with a portable first aid kit and any
necessary asthma pumps. (Our
coaches will also have a first aid kit on
board as standard). We recommend
that teachers have ensured
parents have authorised teachers
to administer first aid and provide
anaesthetic in case of emergency.
Getting the head teacher’s approval
for all visits.
Ensuring parents have full information
and provide consent.
Ensuring staff are relevantly qualified.
Compile and maintain a full passenger
listing.
Ensure the correct ratio of staff to
pupils.
Make sure all special needs of pupils
are noted.
Log details of pupils before and
during the trip.
Log travel timings.
Keep a log of emergency contact
numbers.
Time of arrival at the final destination
must be logged with your school, and
a copy prepared to carry with you
during the trip.
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•
Maintain discipline of pupils during
trip.
Ensure safety rules for travelling on
coaches are adhered to, including the
use of seat belts.
Checking the details of outside
agencies, such as ourselves.
Specifically to transport companies,
you should be in a position to verify:
• Driver competence.
• The transport provider’s
understanding of European drivers’
hours.
• The transport provider’s breakdown
contingency and insurances.
• Policy for comfort stops en route.
• The safety equipment aboard the
coach, including first-aid kit.
It is the operator’s responsibility to
maintain:
• Good repute.
• A current operator’s licence.
• Seat belts to current standards.
• Insurances.
• And, for packages including
accommodation, a ‘bonding’
arrangement to protect your money.
For trips involving: caving, climbing,
trekking and waters ports, you should
ensure the tour operator is licensed
with the Adventure Activities Licensing
Authority, or has similar qualifications to
run the tour.
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Quality guided
0845 257 9898 | www.thekingsferry.co.uk
In association with
Battlefield
Tours
Dickens World
Great package deals:
saving you money
We work with some venues directly
to bring you cost effective packages
as we know schools funds are not
limitless. We can offer you discounts*
when booking the following attractions
as part of a trip package with
The Kings Ferry.
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THORPE PARK
Dickens World
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
Alton Towers Resort
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Madame Tussauds
The London Dungeon
EDF London Eye
Chessington World of
Adventures Resort
We know you are always busy so
why not let The Kings Ferry do all the
hard work for you! We are offering
these fantastic travel and entrance fee
packages to the most popular theme
parks for primary and secondary
schools, colleges, universities and
youth groups.
We also provide complimentary
entry tickets for each school for the
teachers to visit prior to the trip for risk
assessment purposes. Maximum of 2
tickets for each confirmed booking.
Your package checklist:
•
•
•
•
All inclusive package
Theme park/attraction entrance
Letter templates for schools to
send to parents
Key Stage educational workshops
Coach travel:
• Helpful and friendly drivers
• Seat belts
• Toilets
• CRB Checked drivers
An amazing, multi-sensory,
interactive experience where
you can leave behind the
modern world and immerse
yourself in the sights, sounds
and smells of nineteenth
century England.
Learn about Charles Dickens
novels, join in with daily
performances and be part of
Fagin’s gang in Oliver Twist.
Keystage 1-4 worskshops
are available upon request.
www.dickensworld.co.uk
Contact: The Kings Ferry
As the leading history and
battlefield tours company,
with almost 40 years’
experience operating
Battlefield and Education
tours and over 25 years
in running School Travel,
Holts Tours prides itself
in being the specialist in
educational travel.
They offer educational
school visits, trips and
tours in Europe and
around the UK for
school student groups.
Their range of trips
covers art, culture and
language tours, as well as
battlefields and history.
Visit the website to learn
more about their tours,
including the Centenary
of the First World War,
breaks in Europe and
further afield, as well as
an extensive programme
of UK-based outings. All
can vary in length and
can be personalised to
your group’s needs.
Contact Holts Tours
Tel: 01293 865 001
Fax: 01293 863 312
www.holts.co.uk/schools
Science Museum
There’s always a buzz of
excitement in the handson galleries where friendly
guides help students learn
more.
You can book curriculumbased events and activities
that are packed with dynamic
demos and include great
opportunities for student
participation. Fly into space,
live with bugs or see inside
the human body in one of the
films in the IMAX 3D Cinema
020 7942 4777
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Visit Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and
THORPE PARK with your school to experience exciting workshops, team
building activities and thrilling rides and attractions.
Call Kings Ferry to book your coach and entrance tickets!
01634 377577
Package
prices
from
£10*
* All prices are per person and
include return travel and entry ticket.
Time restrictions apply. Please call
to find out more package prices.
LEGO, the LEGO logo and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group.
The Kings Ferry works
with some of the largest
schools tour operators to
the battlefields of France,
Belgium and the UK. Our partners offer a wide
range of tours for schools
and colleges.
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0845 257 9898 | www.thekingsferry.co.uk
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Winston Churchill’s
Britain at War
Experience
Journey back through an
educational experience to
the home front of World War
II Britain. See the London
Underground air-raid shelter
and walk through the full
sized recreation of a London
Blitz street. Children can try
on gas masks, tin helmets
and uniforms.
0207 403 3171
www.britainatwar.co.uk
WWT London Wetland
Centre
Venues and
attractions guide
Leeds Castle
Groups can tour the castle, explore
the parklands, garden, yew maze and
underground shell grotto plus let off
steam in the Knight’s Realm Playground.
Bespoke talks and workshops on
a variety of curriculum subjects are
available including English, History, Art &
Design and Science.
01622 765 400
www.leeds-castle.co.uk
This fascinating Museum tells the story
of the Bank since its foundation in 1694
to its role in today’s economy. Interactive
displays, audio-visuals, games and
artifacts help explain its many varied
roles. There’s even a genuine gold bar
which may be handled!
020 7601 5544
www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum
Natural History Museum
ZSL London Zoo
Probably the world’s most famous zoo,
ZSL London Zoo has been inspiring
and teaching school groups for many
years. With over 720 animal species,
exciting and innovative new exhibits
and heritage-listed buildings almost as
famous as their inhabitants it’s a fun and
educational day out in the capital for
school groups of all ages and sizes.
0844 967 0831
www.zsl.org
Meet a life-sized blue whale, a roaring
T-Rex and a gigantic crocodile; the
Natural History Museum has something
to keep all school groups entertained.
Delve into the Darwin Centre, get
hands-on at Investigate – the science
lab for 7-14 year olds – or get shaken
up in the earthquake machine.
020 7942 5000
www.nhm.ac.uk
Museum of London
The Canterbury Tales
Step into The Canterbury Tales and take
a 40 minute audio guided pilgrimage
complete with the sights, sounds
and smells of medieval England. Free
education packs available.
0845 070 6255
www.canterburytales.org.uk
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Bank of England Museum
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Take your school group on an
unforgettable journey into the story
of London’s past – from a time when
lions roamed Trafalgar Square, through
the city under Roman rule, to the 21st
century capital: there’s something for
all ages. Don’t miss the Galleries of
Modern London, too.
020 7001 9844
www.museumoflondon.org.uk
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WWT London Wetland
Centre offers children
unforgettable up-close
encounters with nature in
the heart of the capital.
The learning team delivers
interactive workshops
that are worlds apart from
anything they can experience
in the classroom.
020 8109 4419
www.wwt.org.uk/learn
Blue Reef Aquarium
Situated at the end of
Rock-A-Nore Road in
Hastings historic old town.
At the Aquarium’s heart is
a giant ocean tank where
an underwater walkthrough
tunnel offers incredibly close
encounters with the stunning
beauty of an exotic coral
reef - home to hundreds of
colourful fish.
01637 878134
www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk
Wherever you wish to
take your students,
The Kings Ferry is the
only way to travel this
academic year.
Call one of our friendly
reservations team now
to find out more.
Experience the
legacy of
London
A Kings Ferry Olympic Tour
can be tailored to a variety
of curriculum subjects
including History, Sport,
Architecture, Archeology,
and Urban Regeneration.
Many of our Tours will give a
real insight into the history of
East London.
Already visited the
Olympic Park before the
Games?
Now that the Games are
over there are probably
even more reasons for your
students to experience
one of our Tours. Trips
can be tailored to any
age of student and your
group will be guided by an
experienced Blue Badge
Guide.
* Our Blue Badge Guides
have worked closely with the
Olympic authorities pre, post
and during London 2012
- ensuring your students
benefit from their extensive
inside knowledge and
understanding.
Please note
The above Tour examples are
intended to give an insight into
some of the different attractions
you may wish to include in your
visit. Please be aware that Tours
are tailor made and are age
appropriate to meet the needs of
your students. Tours are subject to
venues being open to the public or
reasonably accessible externally on
the required dates. Please note that
many of the attractions used within
the Tour examples given will charge
their own admission fees.
Choose from one of
our suggested tours
Going for Gold
Three-part Olympic Tour to
help students learn more
about the history of the
Games in the UK. Tour
includes visits to White City
(1908), Wembley (1948)
and Stratford (2012).
Students looking for a
career in the sports arena
or studying Sport/Sports
Science will also find this
trip of particular interest.
Soldiers and Weaponry
Royal Woolwich Arsenal
Barracks / Firepower
Museum.
This Tour can be tailored
to include visits to The
Barracks built between
1776 and 1802, the site
of the shooting events
of the London 2012
Olympics and Paralympics.
Groups can also visit
The Firepower Museum
contains a substantial
collection of British
armoury dating back from
the 17th c. to present day.
Groups can enjoy a short
walk around Woolwich and
a trip on the Woolwich Free
Ferry (when available).
Henry and Horses
Historical Greenwich &
Greenwich Park
See the sites of the 2012
equestrian events and
spend several hours in
historic Greenwich. Why
not include a visit to
the Maritime Museum
(free entry),Greenwich
Observatory and Cutty
Sark. Start your students’
Tour with a river boat cruise
from central London or visit
the church where Henry VIII
was baptized. Groups also
have the option of visiting
Greenwich University.
Royals and Rowing
Eton Dorney/Windsor.
Visit historic Windsor
and see the Eton Dorney
rowing facility (subject to
access from Eton College).
Take a tour of Windsor
Castle, historic Windsor
and/or Eton. Visit the brand
new Whitewater Canoe
Centre purpose built for
the Games. Nearby visit
historic Waltham Abbey
one of the best preserved
Norman abbeys and
reputed burial site of King
Harold. Boat trips on River
Lea an option.
Southend and Cycling
Hadleigh Farm / East
Coast.
Visit the ruins of Hadleigh
castle made famous by
John Constable and site
of the Olympic mountain
biking events. This trip can
also incorporate a trip to
the east coast, or Essex
villages. Greater focus can
also be placed on the work
of John Constable for older
students.
Olympic Venues
experience
This Tour includes visits
to the Olympic Park,
Stratford, Royal Docks,
ExCel Centre & Greenwich
Park. This Tour can be
tailored for any age group.
Older students can be
given a real insight into the
history of east London,
urban regeneration and
architecture.
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Our drivers
make the difference
0845 257 9898 | www.thekingsferry.co.uk
“
All The Kings Ferry drivers go
through a rigorous selection
procedure to ensure only
those with exceptional
customer service skills join
our successful team.
Graham was excellent throughout
the trip
The drivers were both brilliant
yesterday...
......thank you to Nick our driver
who was amazing! Absolutely
lovely guy....
Chris your coach driver was
amazing, he was undoubtedly the
best driver we have ever had.
Choosing drivers with the
right personality ensures our
customers receive the kind
of care and attention to detail
they deserve.
Carl.....he is a marvellous driver
Peter could not have performed
better
Here are just a few examples
of the great comments we
receive about our drivers
each and every day...
..the driver was very professional
and made our trip...
All of The Kings Ferry drivers are
always great
“
From years of experience we
know that our knowledgeable,
professional, safe and friendly
drivers will make your journey
a pleasurable one.
Nick was a real asset....
He was brilliant & great to work
with....
Les was a highly skilled driver
with a manner ideally suited to a
school group.
Thank you to you and your drivers
for such an excellent service.........
Get value for money
by fitting ‘In-Between’
What is an ‘In-Between’ hire?
The Kings Ferry is extremely well
known for its daily commuter
services into central London.
Our 36 daily commuter coaches
run early morning services into
the Capital - and then return
commuters back to the Medway
towns at the end of their busy
working day.
Schools based in London who
want to hire a coach for an
educational trip within the M25
area may be able to utilise one
of The Kings Ferry’s commuter
coaches ‘in-between’ our daily
outbound and return commuter
journeys.
As our commuter coaches are
already in London your school
will benefit from an attractive hire
package - providing the timing
of your trip compliments our
scheduled Commuter Timetable.
Our commuters demand the
highest quality vehicles to
help ensure that their daily
journeys to and from work are
as comfortable and relaxing as
possible.
This means that your students
will be able to take advantage
of travelling on one of The Kings
Ferry’s modern, air conditioned
vehicles, most with toilet facilities.
‘In-Between’
Hire Checklist:
London based?
Is your school
u up from 0900
Can we pick yo
onwards?
u off by 1515?
Can we drop yo
le?
, high spec vehic
Need a modern
ked driver?
sional CRB chec
With a profes
itive price, and
Need a compet
y?
value for mone
n’
=An ‘In-Betwee
from
The Kings Ferry
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Contact
The Kings Ferry
If you need: managed, cost-effective,
hassle free, safe and environmentally
efficient coach travel.
The Travel Centre, Eastcourt Lane,
Gillingham, Kent ME8 6HW
Tel: 0845 257 9898
Fax: 0845 257 9889
Email: [email protected]
www.thekingsferry.co.uk
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