Our Commitment to Safety

We believe in the power of travel to enrich lives. We create memories, build confidence, and help young people grow into global citizens.

As a group of trusted student travel specialists, we deliver extraordinary educational experiences through our well-established brands: World Challenge, Skibound, Travelbound, Edwin Doran Sports Tours, MasterClass Sports Tours and JCA.

With more than 45,000 successful trips delivered across 100 countries, and over 1.5 million students having travelled with us, we are proud to be a trusted partner to schools and colleges across the UK and internationally.

Our brands each operate with a unique model tailored to the age group, destination, and purpose of the trip. What unites us is a shared commitment to quality, risk management, and safeguarding.

Every brand within the Experience Education group is supported by a robust safety framework, externally audited standards, and a culture of continuous improvement.t type of experience, all are united by the same principles: preparation, proportional risk management, safeguarding, and continuous improvement.

Group Commitment to Risk Management

At Experience Education, we are committed to delivering safe, high-quality travel experiences across all our brands. Each brand operates with a tailored safety and risk management approach, appropriate to the destinations, activities, and structure of its programmes. This ensures that risk is managed proportionately and effectively, without compromise.

 

Across the group, we ensure:

  • Risk management processes are embedded and regularly reviewed within each brand.
  • Standards and controls are aligned to the trip type and operating environment.
  • Experienced safety professionals provide governance and oversight.
  • We foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement, informed by incident reporting, trend analysis, and cross-brand collaboration.

All brands are:

  • Externally audited by recognised sector bodies.
  • Holders of the LOtC Quality Badge, recognising both educational value and safety rigour.
  • Supported by 24/7 operational response appropriate to the nature of their trips, ensuring groups have access to assistance at any time while travelling.

We understand that school communities expect both exceptional experiences and peace of mind. That is why we invest in recognised accreditations, experienced teams, and robust processes, providing confidence to Educational Visits Coordinators, senior leaders, and other risk management stakeholders.

Brand-Specific Risk Management Snapshots

World Challenge

  • Transformational overseas expeditions focused on student leadership, cultural immersion, and adventure.
  • Accredited by the Expedition Providers Association (EPA).
  • Comprehensive medical screening and pre-departure planning.
  • In-country operational staff and vetted ground partners.
  • Tailored documentation provided for Local Authority and EVC approval.
  • Expedition Leaders trained in incident response and supported 24/7 by our UK Operations Centre.
  • Robust emergency planning and remote environment protocols.
Happy students with their skis on

Skibound

  • Specialist school ski trips to Europe and North America.
  • Member of the School Travel Forum (STF).
  • Resort-based reps ensure round-the-clock support for groups.
  • Safety assessments cover slopes, accommodation, ski instruction, and après-ski activities.
  • All ski areas, instructors, and partners vetted and regularly reviewed.
  • Staff trained in managing medical and injury-related incidents on the slopes.

Travelbound

  • Educational and cultural tours to European cities and key global destinations.
  • Member of the School Travel Forum (STF).
  • Trips are hotel-based and follow structured itineraries.
  • Risk management focuses on transport, accommodation, guided excursions, and cultural sites.
  • Group leaders receive pre-travel safety briefings and materials.
  • Local guides and 24/7 support provided where appropriate.

Edwin Doran Sports Tours

  • Tailored international and UK sports tours for schools and clubs.
  • Member of the School Travel Forum (STF).
  • Emphasis on safeguarding, competition suitability, and logistical planning.
  • Risk assessment of host clubs, fixtures, and local transport.
  • Flexibility to support different levels of supervision based on school policy.
  • Medical and insurance guidance provided to support contact or high-risk sports.

Masterclass Sports Tours

  • UK and international sports development tours, with a focus on elite coaching and performance.
  • Member of the School Travel Forum (STF).
  • Carefully selected coaching partners and training facilities.
  • Detailed risk management for training venues, matches, and accommodation.
  • Support with safeguarding, staff vetting, and supervision structures.
  • Pre-travel planning support tailored to sports-specific needs.

JCA Adventure

  • UK-based activity centres offering outdoor learning for primary and lower secondary students.
  • Accredited by the British Activity Providers Association (BAPA).
  • Fully managed sites with experienced instructors and on-site first aid provision.
  • Activity risk assessments aligned with AALA and UK adventure activity regulations.
  • Clear supervision structures and safeguarding procedures.
  • Excellent option for younger or first-time residential students.

Accreditations & Assurance

All our brands hold nationally recognised safety accreditations that are tailored to the type of travel they offer. Whether it’s a residential activity centre, an overseas expedition, or a ski trip, our safety standards are externally inspected, carefully maintained, and clearly documented. These accreditations help support school approval processes and provide confidence to senior leaders, Educational Visits Coordinators, and other stakeholders with responsibility for risk management and student welfare

Applicable to: World Challenge
The EPA is the recognised accrediting body for UK organisations delivering overseas expeditions for young people. To become full members, providers must undergo external inspections to confirm alignment with the EPA Code of Practice and British Standard 8848, the UK standard for expedition safety and risk management. EPA membership qualifies providers to hold the LOtC Quality Badge for overseas expeditions. This accreditation confirms that World Challenge has been independently assessed in key areas including medical preparation, risk management, emergency planning, staff training, technical leadership, and ethical community engagement.
Website: www.expeditionprovidersassociation.co.uk

Applicable to: Skibound, Travelbound, Edwin Doran & Masterclass Sports Tours
The STF is the leading UK association for providers of school travel, including educational tours, sports trips, and ski programmes. Members must pass a rigorous external audit every year, conducted by independent auditors, to confirm compliance with the STF’s Safety Management Standard and Code of Practice. The audit reviews all aspects of trip delivery, including transport, accommodation, excursions, staffing, safeguarding, and emergency management. STF membership enables brands to hold the LOtC Quality Badge, supporting school approval processes.
Website: www.schooltravelforum.com

Applicable to: JCA Adventure
BAPA is the national membership body for UK-based outdoor learning and residential activity centres. To join, providers must complete a comprehensive external inspection, which covers safety systems, instructor qualifications, activity delivery, site operations, and safeguarding. This ensures that JCA Adventure offers safe, structured, and professionally led experiences for young people. Members can also apply for the LOtC Quality Badge through BAPA.
Website: www.thebapa.org.uk

Applicable to: All brands (via their respective accreditations)
The LOtC Quality Badge is the national benchmark for providers of safe and high-quality learning experiences beyond the classroom. It is awarded to organisations that demonstrate both robust safety practices and meaningful educational value. All our brands hold the LOtC badge via their respective accreditation pathways (EPA, STF, or BAPA). The badge is awarded following external audit, helping schools and EVCs quickly identify approved providers that meet recognised standards for safety and learning.
Website: www.lotc.org.uk

Supporting Trip Approval Processes

We understand that planning and approving school trips involves a clear and often complex internal sign-off process. Educational Visits Coordinators (EVCs), senior leaders, and other risk management stakeholders are typically required to complete or submit detailed external provider checks before approval can be granted.

To support this process, Experience Education and our brands are committed to transparency and accessibility. We provide documentation that aligns with the information commonly seen in school, local authority, and trust approval processes.

We have reviewed a broad range of provider checklists and are confident that the information we supply addresses all key areas of concern, including:

  • Safety Management Systems (SMS)
  • Risk assessments and activity oversight
  • Safeguarding policies and staff recruitment practices
  • Insurance cover and liability documentation
  • Staffing and supervision ratios
  • Incident Management Plans (IMPs)
  • Relevant accreditations (e.g. STF, EPA, BAPA, LOtC Quality Badge)

Each of these areas is covered in more detail throughout this document, with brand-specific documents available on request to support full trip approval.

Safety in Practice

Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Each brand within Experience Education operates under a tailored Safety Management System (SMS), aligned with the nature of its trips and the environments in which it operates. While structures differ by brand, all SMSs are built around recognised principles of risk management and contain:

  • Clear severity classifications to guide appropriate response levels.
  • Roles and responsibilities for incident response, escalation, and support.
  • Step-by-step guidance for common incident types, including medical, safeguarding, logistical, and reputational issues.
  • 24/7 access to support and guidance for groups in the field.
  • Record keeping protocols to ensure accurate documentation and continuity.
  • Staff training on incident response through simulations and practical workshops.

These plans are reviewed regularly and evolve in response to operational learning and industry developments.

 

Pre-Trip Safety Information

To support effective planning and school approval processes, our brands provide tailored pre-travel safety information, including:

Direct support for schools, Trusts, or local authorities with specific queries or approval requirements.

Destination-specific guidance covering health, safety, and risk considerations.

Risk assessments to support internal sign-off processes.

Safeguarding

Each brand within the group operates under a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy appropriate to its programme type, age group, and operating model. These policies include:

  • Safe recruitment practices, including DBS or equivalent checks.
  • Clear codes of conduct for staff.
  • Procedures for managing disclosures and allegations.
  • Designated Safeguarding Leads trained in child protection and referral pathways.

All safeguarding policies are regularly reviewed and made available to schools upon request to support approval processes and parental confidence.

ATOL & ABTA Protections

All our international trips are financially protected in accordance with UK travel regulations. Depending on the nature of the trip and the brand, this protection is provided through either the ATOL scheme (flight-inclusive packages) or ABTA (non-flight packages). These schemes protect schools and families in the event of supplier failure or other disruption.

You can verify our memberships online:

Brand ABTA No. ATOL No.
Skibound &   Travelbound V378X 2165
Edwin Doran   Sports Tours & MasterClass Y2475 9992
World Challenge N/A – All   trips are flight-inclusive 3207

Sustainability & Ethical Responsibility

We believe that travel can provide young people with opportunities to understand and connect to the world around them. In harnessing this power, we have the potential to create lasting positive impact on people and planet. Across our brands we are taking action on the following areas:

  • We measure all of our carbon emissions and are working to identify opportunities to reduce our footprint in the years ahead.
  • All of our suppliers must adhere to our minimum standards for sustainability – setting a high ethical benchmark for child welfare regarding interactions with children in our destinations, and animal welfare for activities involving wildlife.
  • We provide our young travellers with opportunities to learn about global challenges and ways they can make lasting impact through resources and on-trip activities and discussions. This creates lasting positive change as the travellers return home considerate of their role as global citizens and continue to act accordingly into the future.
  • We are reducing waste on our trips – we provide alternatives to single-use plastic water bottles, saving over 100,000 bottles every year.
  • We share updates within our team, inspiring our staff to consider ways to create positive impact in their work. We look for ways to reduce our environmental impact in our offices – with good recycling systems, initiatives to reduce paper, and energy-efficiency plans in our owned properties.

Next Steps & Further Information

This overview has been designed to give Educational Visits Coordinators, senior leaders, and other risk stakeholders a clear understanding of how Experience Education and our brands approach safety, risk management, and assurance.

We’ve outlined our group-wide commitments, external accreditations, and the systems that underpin our safe delivery, including Safety Management Systems (SMS), Incident Management Plans (IMPs), and safeguarding practices. You’ll also find brand-specific snapshots to help you understand the operating model and risk profile of each type of trip.

If you require additional detail or supporting documentation for a particular brand or trip, our team will be happy to assist. We can provide tailored materials aligned with your internal approval processes, local authority requirements, or governing body checklists.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to support you at every stage of planning and approval.