Safety of STS Groups

Being responsible for the well-being and safety of a group of students during their tour, you, the party leader, have to feel completely confident that the operator with whom you are dealing shares your sense of responsibility, striving to set and maintain the highest possible standards. Our commitment to the safety of our clients is second to none.

Every school booking a trip with STS will benefit from our externally audited STS Safety Management System which sets out our responsibilities and defines the standards and processes we use to manage the safety of the component parts of your tour. This covers essential areas as accommodation, transport, emergency procedures, plus risk assessments for activities and key excursions.

To download our Safety Management System in Adobe PDF format, please click here. Should you require any further information about our Safety Management System or to request any specific risk assessment then please do not hesitate email us or call us on 0870 240 6828.

Risk Assessments

Many teachers would like to take their pupils on a school trip but are worried about the prospect of completing the risk assessment. The good news is though that the process is not as complicated as you may think. Within the context of school travel, a risk assessment is consistent with a group management plan. In other words, the means by which leaders 'steer' their group through to the objective of arriving home safe and sound. Download the School Travel Forum's "Demystifying risk assessment" guide here for a full description.

Party Leaders will need to follow the guidelines for their particular school and LEA. However, use of a properly selected tour operator can substantially reduce liabilities and work load. It is our the tour operator's responsibility to carry out checks on all the component parts of their visits - such as the accommodation and transport - and so we can assist Party Leaders with the local information that they need to develop their management plans. By handing over this part of visit organising, you can better allocate your time to developing your own management plan and the delivery of the educational content of the visit.

Although we cannot complete your Risk Assessment for you, we are members of the School Travel Forum, ABTA and ATOL and we have a strong Safety Management System in place. This means you can use our Safety Management System as part of your risk assessment, saving you time and effort.

Your Insurance

STS tour prices include comprehensive travel insurance arranged with a reputable insurance company. A copy of the insurance policy will be sent to you with your booking information. To download a copy of our Insurance Policy please click here. STS also have public liability insurance. This embraces any third party claim against STS for up to £10 million.

STS Travel Ltd is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the FSA (their registration number is 313486) and which is permitted to advise on and arrange general insurance contracts. STS Travel Ltd only offer travel insurance from a limited number of insurers. A List of these insurers is available on request. No additional fees will be charged for this service.

Inspection Visits

Inspection visits offer party leaders, who have a confirmed booking with STS, the opportunity to visit the destinations featured in our brochure. Group inspection visits accompanied by STS Staff are organised annually to a variety of destinations.

Leaders will be able to inspect the accommodation we use, sample excursions and discuss any aspects of your tour with staff and local agents. For tour destinations not covered by group Inspection Visits, STS offers party leaders with a confirmed booking an opportunity to visit their selected destinations and STS will pay for one night bed and breakfast accommodation for two people in a twin room. Our next inspection tour(s) will be during the month of August.

Your Financial Protection

The DCSF (Department for Children, School and Families) recommends that Party Leaders should ensure they obtain evidence that suitable arrangements are in place to protect the school and parents in case of financial failure.

When you book with STS financial security is part of the package.

Air Tours

The air tours in our programme are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This is done through our ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) which is granted to us by the CAA. Our ATOL number is ATOL 5259.

ATOL protects you from losing your money or being stranded abroad. It does this by carrying out checks on the tour operators and travel organisers it licenses, and requiring a financial guarantee called a bond, which is lodged with the CAA.

If a tour operator goes out of business, the CAA will make a refund to you, or if you're abroad, we'll arrange for you to finish your holiday and fly home. STS is also accredited by IATA (International Air Travel Association) and our IATA number is 9127495.

Coach Tours

The coach tours in our programme are protected under a financial failure insurance policy with a company called Towergate. If the coach company goes out of business then Towergate will arrange for your return to the UK. This scheme is approved by ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents).

ABTA

We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and our membership number is W0798. As such we are regulated by ABTA and we do our utmost to act at all times in accordance with the ABTA Code of Conduct. For any more information please do not hesitate to email or call us on 0870 240 6828.

School Travel Forum

STS is a Full Member of the School Travel Forum. The School Travel Forum is a group of leading school tour operators who promote good practice and safety in school travel. All Full Members of the STF adhere to a rigorous Code of Practice and Safety Management Standards which meet the requirements of DCSF guidelines - these are externally verified each year by suitably qualified independent Health and Safety professionals. During the course of developing the STF Code of Practice, and in addition to liaising with the DCSF, advice has been sought from all leading educational Unions and Associations. The STF initiative has the support of the SHA, NAHT, ATL, PAT and is welcomed by the Outdoor Education Advisors' Panel. The principles on which it is based have the support of the NUT and the NASUWT advises members wishing to organise school trips to use the companies who are members of the STF. Details of the School Travel Forum Code of Practice are available from our office or online at: www.schooltravelforum.com.

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