Travel aware

Foreign Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s travel advice aims to provide objective information and advice, to help you make better-informed decisions about your international travel plans. It provides important information on all the destinations we feature, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, as well as travel tips, checklists and guidance on staying safe and healthy abroad. You can search for a country or territory, and sign up to be notified of any updates to advice before or during your trip. Please visit: https://www.gov.uk/travelaware.

You can also follow FCDO Travel on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Passports & Visas

For overseas trips you will need to ensure that every member of your group has valid documentation to travel. You should ensure that any applications for required documentation are made in good time so that they are received well before you depart. We do not accept any responsibility or liability if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa, travel, vaccination, testing or immigration requirements or are not in possession of necessary travel documentation.

Passports

A full valid passport will be required, and for some destinations it will be necessary to have an extended period of validity beyond the end of the trip. It is essential that the names you supply to us on your passenger list (particularly for groups travelling on flights) match the names that appear on the passports. Discrepancies may result in additional charges, and even refusal to travel. For up to date information regarding applying for a passport go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports

Collective Passports

For some trips a Collective Passport may be used for qualifying groups. However, they are not accepted in all cases so you should double-check in advance if you are considering this option. Please check out the following link for further details: https://www.gov.uk/collective-group-passports

Visas

Some countries require an entry visa for the duration of your stay. It is important to note that a visa may be required by a non UK passport holder that is not required by a UK passport holder. We recommend you check with the relevant embassy or consulate without delay as visa applications can take several weeks to organise.

Travel Health

You should check health advise for your travel destination to determine if you need to take additional measures to maintain health during your trip. If in any doubt, it is recommended that you seek advice from a health professional - a GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or a travel health clinic - ideally at least eight weeks before departure. For country-specific vaccine recommendations plus other important advice and tips to stay healthy abroad, please see: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries.

GHIC (and EHIC)

For travel to Europe you should obtain a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) or only if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) well before leaving the UK. For most people, the GHIC replaces the existing EHIC for new applications although you can typically use an EHIC if you have one prior to expiry date. Both are free and you should beware of unofficial websites that may charge you a fee when you apply. Neither the GHIC nor EHIC are a substitute for travel insurance as you will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Remember - each person in your group requires a card. You can presently use a GHIC while visiting EU countries, although further countries may yet be added to the list.

Visit: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/.

Permission to Take Children Abroad

You must get the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for a child before taking the child abroad. In general, a child is a person who is below the age of 18 years, but you should check with the authorities of the country you are travelling to for information about the age limit up to which a person is considered a child. A letter from the person(s) with parental responsibility for the child is usually enough to show you’ve got permission to take them abroad. The letter should include those persons’ contact details and details about the trip. You might be asked for the letter at a UK or foreign border. Some countries require a letter to include specific information and to be certified by a solicitor or notary. You should check the Government website (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) for whether your destination has specific requirements.

We would additionally suggest as best practice it would be advisable to travel with a full list of staff and students on school letterhead, signed by the headteacher, confirming that those school staff have consent to act ‘in loco parentis’ for all those students from everyone with parental responsibility for them.

Sports tours

School Ski trips

Educational trips

Music & Dance tours