Top 10 ways to make your school residential a success

by Essex Outdoors
published 27 September 2026

2 mins read

A school residential can be the highlight of the year for your pupils, with measurable benefits, but it's important to plan your trip carefully to ensure it runs efficiently for everyone. 

Let's help you get started, with top ten ways to make your residential a success from Essex Outdoors.

1. Enquire at least 12 months ahead to secure your preferred dates. Or even earlier for summer season (May to July).

2. Think carefully about your aims in advance of booking - to ensure your end trip fits your main objectives whether that's linked to curriculum or team building. Have key information ready when you make your initial enquiry.

3. Take the time to call - or request a call back. Our friendly and knowledgeable Customer Service team will help to tailor your booking. Receive a personalised quote to match your requirements and get to know your point of contact for a smooth process from beginning to end.

4. Visit the centre if booking for the first time or use our virtual video tours to get a good idea of the site. Then raise any questions you may have with your Customer Service Lead early on.

Once you've booked:

5. Share our site films with parents - reassure those for whom this may be their first experience of a child staying overnight or going on a trip without them.

6. Split payments for parents over three school terms where possible - help to make the trip accessible for everyone.

7. Provide specific packing lists for parents - run an assembly to talk parents and children through how the trip will run. You'll receive a kit list and lots of information from us in our welcome pack and emails. 

8. Know exactly what to expect when you arrive. If you are feeling confident, then the kids will too. Your centre will be in touch around one week prior to your trip with all the final details. 

9. Run social media updates during your trip to keep parents happy but limit phone time for the kids (many centres will discourage phones completely). 

Encourage children to connect with each other and their natural surroundings through play and extra bookable evening activities such as campfires and bushcraft to boost mental wellbeing for everyone. 

10. Last but not least, our customer service team's top tips:

• For new groups - visit the site in advance to see exactly what you are getting.

• For returning groups - be open minded around change and ask for advice to continue to make improvements to your trips.

And always provide feedback after your trip to help us continually improve our service. We listen to your suggestions and pride ourselves on our repeat business - we're proud to announce that our customers recently awarded us a Net Promoter Score of 86%.

You, and your children, are in a safe pair of hands with Essex Outdoors.

Make an enquiry now using the form below