School football trips give students experiences they can’t get in the classroom: professional coaching, new cultures and the responsibility of travelling as a team. Here’s how PE departments can plan one with confidence.
- Build in time for school approval, risk assessment and parental consent.
- Choose a trip that fits your students’ age, ability and budget.
- Supervision ratios follow your school’s own policy.
- Financial protection matters when you’re collecting money from families.
Why run a school football trip?
A sports tour develops more than football. Students build independence, teamwork and confidence, and experience how the professional game is coached. For older students, time at a professional club can open eyes to careers in sport.
Your planning timeline
Get approval
Speak to your head and Educational Visits Coordinator early and follow your school’s visits policy.
Choose the trip
Agree the purpose, destination, dates and budget.
Confirm numbers
Gauge interest, confirm age groups and plan staffing.
Paperwork
Risk assessment, parental consent, medical information and, for trips abroad, passports.
Brief families
Share the itinerary, costs and payment plan, and hold a parents’ information session.
Choosing the right trip
For younger students, a UK pro club weekender keeps travel simple and avoids passports. Older students often get the most from a tour abroad, combining academy coaching with matches against local sides and time to explore a new city. International tournaments suit school teams who want competitive fixtures.
Term time or holidays?
Many school trips run in term time, which can lower costs and avoid peak travel weeks. Whatever you choose, check it fits your school calendar, exam season and the football calendar. Professional clubs don’t host visiting groups over the summer break.
Staffing and safeguarding
Your school remains responsible for supervising students, in line with its own safeguarding policy and staffing ratios. We take care of the travel, venues and timings and support you on the ground, so your staff can focus on the students.
Protecting the money
Schools collect significant sums from families, so make sure payments are protected. With On The Wing, payments are held in an independent PTS trust account, and flight-inclusive tours are ATOL protected through our licensed partner.
Tell us about your students, dates and budget and we’ll put together a tailored trip.
