4 Editorial
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for the same audience, the quality badge should provide an
identifier; proof that standards have been met. The issue of time
Ardmore has 25 years
and cost depends on the provider, the two routes of application
experience in Educational
for the badge (Route one, self-assessment and Route two, external
assessment) require the provider to go through a series of steps
Group travel:
which should perfect the offer to visitors, meaning that there is some - Ski Trips
consistency across a variety of venues.
- European homestay
The difficulty, considering the low-key launch of the scheme, is
& residential
that of the thousands of venues open to groups there are only a
comparatively small number on the database so far. Considering
programmes
the launch was back in October 2008, it would suggest that many - U.S. Sports &
providers are either unaware of the scheme or holding off during Culturalprogrammes
a time that is financially uncertain. The cost for a venue to go
through self-assessment is £100, for those businesses in charge of
Our expertise in student
ten venues or more the cost drops to £75 per venue. Bearing in
group travel ensures we
deliver a safe, high quality,
Does the scheme aim to be higher
fun trip to meet the exact
standard for some or simply a standard requirements of your
all venues must eventually meet?
group. Our professional,
friendly head office team
mind the cost and the time required to fulfil the criteria it is not a
make every step of your
given that potential venues will rush to join the scheme. Indeed the
booking easy. We place
current economic climate may force some to postpone and others to
greatimportanceonproviding
consider if the education sector really is a primary target given the every group we work with
weak pound and the greater potential business from abroad a personal service and are
In view of a quiet launch, the question must be posed; are schools
happy to tailor any of our programmes to meet
aware of the scheme? If the uptake is slow the scheme will struggle
your bespoke requirements.
to maintain any credibility, particularly if the search engine currently
Our services include:
in place does not begin to yield significant responses throughout
- All your transport needs;
the United Kingdom. The number of venues participating currently
coaches, ferries, flights and
stands at 130* and regions such as the Channel Islands, Northern
trains
Ireland, Scotland and Wales have only a tiny presence within the
database. However, with quality badges having only been awarded
- Inspection trips and free
from February 2009, time will be key in knowing how far the scheme
group leader places
really can go.
- Full and half board accomm-
There is a danger of a slow and ineffective uptake, which puts into
odation in host families,
question its value altogether.
colleges, universities, hotels
On the other hand, the Quality Badge Scheme has the potential and youth hostels
to become a popular tool for educational establishments to use on (depending on the chosen programme type)
an excursion. If this became the practice of a majority of schools
- Assistance with risk assessments from our
and colleges there is the drawback that it could devalue the scheme
friendly, professional team!
as all venues wishing to take school groups would feel obliged to
meet the requirements. At this point the higher standard would
seem somewhat pointless and from the perspective of the user
there would no longer be clear favourites. Does the scheme aim to
be higher standard for some or simply a standard all venues must
eventually meet?
The Quality Badge is set to last for two years and there will be
‘annual quality assurance’ visits to a selection of providers to be
certain that standards are being maintained.
CONTACT US TODAY!
In conclusion
TEL: 01628 826699
The emphasis on LoTC is likely to benefit from a scheme giving both
EMAIL:
info@ardmoreeducationaltravel.co.uk
an assurance to groups and an impetus for providers. The potential
FAX: 01628 829977
of such a scheme running successfully and encouraging LoTC is high,
WEB:
www.ardmoreeducationaltravel.co.uk
the hope is that it has – and will be – communicated well enough to
make a significant impact.
To search for a badge holder, apply for a quality badge, or for
more information on the scheme visit www.lotcqualitybadge.
org.uk
*Figures as of 3 April 2009
Visit our new web-site
www.school-visits.com to search for more venues
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