A growing movement is helping schools save families hundreds of pounds on residentials—without sacrificing adventure or learning.
As school budgets tighten and residential costs soar, a growing number of teachers are turning to an unexpected solution: hostels.
Independent Hostels UK, the largest network of hostels and bunkhouses in the UK, is helping schools rethink the traditional school trip. Their school-friendly accommodation offers residentials at a fraction of the usual cost—without compromising educational value or adventure.
A 2024 study by Zurich Municipal found that nearly 1 in 3 parents believe school trips are now “too expensive,” with the average residential costing £430 per pupil—around 15 times the cost of a single day trip.
As a result, disadvantaged pupils are disproportionately missing out on the confidence-boosting benefits of residentials.
Hostels in the Independent Hostels network specialising in school residentials offer:
– Outdoor activities and learning packages
– Exclusive use of the hostel
– Large dining rooms and plenty of space
– Bunkbeds for the pupils and separate leaders’ bedrooms
– Self-catering or a choice of catered packages
– Located in cities, national landscapes and popular field trip areas.
https://independenthostels.co.uk/school-residentials-accommodation/
With some hostels offering activities ranging from bushcraft and orienteering to creative writing trails and local history scavenger hunts, hostel residentials are both enriching and
easy to arrange.
And with over 350 Independent Hostels across the UK, teachers and pupils don’t have to spend hours on a coach travelling for their next residential.
- 79% of secondary pupils felt “more engaged in learning” after a residential.
- 82% of primary pupils improved their learning outcomes.
- 71% of staff reported better relationships with pupils post-trip.
- 78% of pupils showed improved confidence and resilience.
Yet rising costs and time pressures on teachers are causing many schools to scale back or cancel trips altogether.
Elterwater Hostel in the Lake District shared with us “Elterwater Hostel has many years of experience accommodating school groups. We provide understanding for teachers who we know are on 24/7 job while on the visit”. Some hostels in the network are community-owned and offer discounted rates for schools with high Pupil Premium numbers. Others operate as charities with mission-aligned pricing, keeping costs low and inclusion high.
“Hostels provide a great value residential experience that genuinely transforms young lives” says Sam Dalley, Director of Independent Hostels UK. Some of the amazing places in the network are run by volunteers with the charitable aim of getting children out into the countryside.
