Description
At Equity, we deliver specialist educational tours, music and performing arts experiences, ski trips, and sports tours. Our aim is to support teachers to motivate and engage their pupils through active learning outside the classroom. By providing great learning experiences, our trips will inspire students at school and in everyday life.
For more than 85 years, we've been working alongside teachers to enhance the lives of young people with life-changing trips, with learning at the very heart of our company.
Designed to develop skills and inspire confidence, our tailored tours offer unmissable experiences that broaden the minds of our future leaders. We’re specialists who will work with you to deliver great learning experiences – whether it's a performing arts trip to New York, a geography trip to Iceland, or ski trips to world-class resorts across Europe and North America.
Party leaders tell us that the personal service they receive is the main reason they book with Equity. Book with us, and we’ll work directly with you to design your perfect trip, whatever your subject, destination, or outcome goals.
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Specialists in school travel:
We work hard to know all about your chosen destination, so we can provide you with all the little details you might not think about on your school trip.
Across the world:
Let us know where you’d like to travel on your trip, and we’ll organise the perfect trip for you from our wide range of destinations. With learning opportunities available around the world, we can help you put together the perfect itinerary close to home or a long plane ride away.
Any subject:
We’ve been creating unforgettable school trip experiences across a range of different subjects since we started. Whether you need to organise something for History, Geography, Classics, Dance, Drama, Science, or Art & Design students, our expert advisors will make sure your trip is nothing short of special.
Full Protection:
We’re both fully ABTA and ATOL(2680) bonded and are members of the School Travel Forum, guaranteeing you complete peace of mind when you book your school trip with us.
Safeguarding:
The well-being of children and young people on our trips is of the highest importance to us, which is why we’re always clear about our responsibilities and principles pertaining to your trip. As members of both ABTA (The Travel Association) and the School Travel Forum (STF), you can rest assured knowing that Equity follow the highest health and safety standards. As a member of these organisations, we are regularly audited based on school travel industry standards finalised by the STF and LOtC (Learning Outside the Classroom).
Covid-19:
Please see our website for the most up-to-date information regarding Covid-19 safeguarding.
Reviews
Overview
4.1
170 reviews
Excellent
48%
Very Good
31%
Average
11%
Poor
7%
Awful
4%
(November 2024 - Secondary School)
Spanish speaking island.
Volcanic island (November 2024 - Secondary School)
As a Spanish-speaking island, it would be good for Languages.
Excellent for Geography, as this was the reason for our trip. (November 2024 - Secondary School)
Was a History and Politics A Level Trip - why so few options above? (November 2024)
(October 2024 - Secondary School)
Excellent help at all stages from Equity. All items on the itinerary ran smoothly, great support from staff on the trip (October 2024 - Secondary School)
You organise all the CERN visit yourself and transport from the hotel (October 2024 - Secondary School)
(October 2024 - Secondary School)
(September 2024 - Secondary School)
The behaviour of the group was excellent throughout the trip. Pre-trip meetings to discuss registration groups, rooming and general expectations was important. Sharing the itinerary with the group on satchel:one in advance was advantageous. Asking the students to create their own WhatsApp trip group was great so they could communicate messages of meeting times and expectations between them in case some had forgotten. Free time was only permitted in groups of three or more for accountability.
Objectives were met and exceeded. The expertise of all guides was outstanding. The students were mainly self-sufficient and will have learnt valuable organisational skills, independence, teamwork and resilience.
The order of the itinerary was perfect - I would recommend this for future trips.
The Hotel is excellent. The food was of a high standard, the rooms were comfortable, clean and modern, the staff were helpful and the location superb. The packed lunches were very helpful and we would recommend continuing with this arrangement.
Whilst the staff felt the equity day-to-day guide was not always needed, we did think he was essential in some parts.
Possibly take a smaller contingency. We did not have any major incidences, so it will be one to carefully consider for future trips.
Ensure Equity request English speaking guides at all venues as we had to wait for the Salt Mines to source one delayed the group by 40 minutes).
Discuss with Equity what to do if the steward at Heathrow is not there to call the coach for the group. We contacted the coach company, but it was very late and Heathrow was not able to support or signpost us to help.
Ensure we liaise with school about staff cars that are left on school site so that the overflow car park is accessible with the code.
We will be writing a letter to parents/carers to praise and commend the group. We will also ask pupils to complete a feedback form to help us better understand their views of the trip.
(September 2024 - Secondary School)
Superb resort for all types of skiers. (September 2024 - Secondary School)
(July 2024 - Secondary School)
Excellent operator would recommend (July 2024 - Secondary School)
The venue was not really geared up for 16+ age group, in terms of food, accommodation, facilities and activities. We had to do a lot of 'live' adjustments an negotiations with the provider along the way (July 2024 - Secondary School)
(June 2024 - Secondary School)
(June 2024 - Secondary School)
(June 2024 - Secondary School)
(April 2024 - Secondary School)
(April 2024 - Secondary School)
(April 2024 - Secondary School)
A few issues with another school that we were sharing the hotel with but generally a very successful trip (April 2024 - Secondary School)
skiing (April 2024 - Primary School & Secondary School)
(April 2024 - Primary School & Secondary School)
(March 2024 - Secondary School)
(March 2024 - Secondary School)
(March 2024 - Secondary School)
(February 2024 - Secondary School)
(February 2024)
(February 2024 - Secondary School)
School Ski Trip (February 2024 - Secondary School)
(February 2024 - Secondary School)
(February 2024 - Secondary School)
This is a great company to work with (February 2024 - Secondary School)
(February 2024 - Secondary School)
(January 2024 - Secondary School)
(November 2023 - Secondary School)
(November 2023 - Secondary School)
Hotel Harrington is in a fantastic location for visiting all of the most important sights of US government. (November 2023 - Secondary School)
(November 2023 - Secondary School)
(November 2023 - Secondary School)
(October 2023 - Secondary School)
The Hotel accommodation was terrible, we was placed on separate floor despite asking to be placed on the same floor. A group of teenage boys was opposite the girls that was on our trip and were asking them to leave the hotel and go to a party with them. The doors on the hotel kept malfunctioning where cards would not work and people could just open the door without a key. On our last day 3 pupils were trapped in a room for 3 hours becuase there was a malfunction with their door. (October 2023 - Secondary School)
(October 2023)
(October 2023 - Secondary School)
(September 2023 - Secondary School)
(September 2023 - Primary School)
(August 2023 - Secondary School)
(July 2023 - Secondary School)
Company did what we needed but slow and not very communicative at times (July 2023 - Secondary School)
(June 2023 - Secondary School)
(June 2023 - Secondary School)
Equity were very slow to respond and I spent a great deal of time chasing them. I wouldn't recommend them. The trip itself was great! (June 2023 - Secondary School)
(May 2023 - Primary School)
(May 2023 - Secondary School)
(April 2023 - Secondary School)
Initial communication with Equity was excellent. However, communication predeparture was not very forthcoming from the individual I dealt with. They were unable to answer many of my questions. It was only when I spoke to their colleague did I get clear details about the services Equity would provide. Airport support was excellent and efficient. The rep in Sorrento was superb - helpful and very knowledgeable. The rep was easy to contact and helped organise additional trips whilst we were there (April 2023 - Secondary School)
trip went really well. (April 2023 - Secondary School)
We have used Equity for years with no issues, but this year they didn't provide anything like the level of service I had come to expect. (April 2023 - Secondary School)
(April 2023 - Primary School & Secondary School)
Classics (April 2023 - Secondary School)
The Hotel was not appropriate for a overseas school group. (April 2023 - Secondary School)
Equity are excellent at dealing with changes to plans at short notice. We have experienced this on the last two trips with last minute changes to our travel, the first due to cancelled flights and the second due to delays at Dover. (April 2023 - Secondary School)
(March 2023 - Secondary School)
(March 2023 - Secondary School)
Equity let us down with a number of itinerary and planning decisions that, although they did not impact the trip as myself and my colleagues were able to overcome the issues, made the trip for myself and other leaders feel very stressful. We are meeting with Equity to discuss these particular points. As a trip, it ran well and the students engaged well. (March 2023 - Secondary School)
(March 2023 - Secondary School)
(February 2023 - Secondary School)
(February 2023 - Secondary School)
Equity very helpful throughout trip. Recommended (February 2023 - Secondary School)
(February 2023 - Primary School & Secondary School)
Good resort for a school trip. (January 2023 - Primary School & Secondary School)
(December 2022 - Secondary School)
(November 2022 - Secondary School)
(July 2022 - Secondary School)
(July 2022 - Secondary School)
well established company (June 2022 - Secondary School)
dont use any one else (April 2022)
(February 2022 - Secondary School)
I have put in a letter of complaint to the company due to the experience we had this year. (March 2020 - Secondary School)
(March 2020 - Secondary School)
(March 2020 - Secondary School)
(February 2020 - Secondary School)
Very well organised, with supportive team around us to answer all our questions. (February 2020 - Secondary School)
Organisation and information was excellent - all bookings and arrangements were spot on. I have already emailed all the providers to say thank you - we will definitely consider booking with Equity again. (February 2020 - Secondary School)
Rep was excellent and resort & hotel were as described. Good venue for our young pupils. (February 2020 - Primary School & Secondary School)
(February 2020 - Secondary School)
(February 2020 - Secondary School)
Been Loyal to Equity for years. The are approachable and have taken on feedback regarding food, bootroom, communications. Tourist Tax was higher than expected, an approx figure would have been helpful prior to departure as this was to be paid in cash on arrival. Reps onsite and over the phone - very helpful. (January 2020 - Secondary School)
Very good company to work with - we have used them on a number of occasions over the years for travel to Washington DC and NYC. (January 2020 - Secondary School)
Please see attachment to email (January 2020 - Primary School)
(November 2019 - Secondary School)
(November 2019 - Secondary School)
Trip went to plan.
Accommodation in Normandy was great - Accommodation in Paris was sub-standard and I would not accept the location again. (November 2019 - Secondary School)
(October 2019 - Secondary School)
(October 2019 - Secondary School)
Excellent value for money (October 2019 - Secondary School)
(October 2019 - Secondary School)
Brilliant tour, guides were phenomenal and really knowledgeable. (October 2019 - Secondary School)
(October 2019 - Secondary School)
activities for students were excellent and students had a great time learning French and putting their skills to use. However food and accommodation options weren't as good and I had to chase Equity for information ahead of the study visit. (October 2019 - Secondary School)
(October 2019 - Secondary School)
(October 2019 - Secondary School)
(September 2019 - Secondary School)
Excellently planned and executed trip, thoroughly enjoyable and the students gained a lot from the experience. (July 2019 - Secondary School)
We discovered upon arrival that the accommodation was completely unsuitable for the students we had taken. It posed a major safeguarding risk, however, when we raised this with the company they did nothing to rectify the situation and left our staff in a situation where they felt the students where unsafe during the visit. (July 2019 - Secondary School)
Few issues during the trip that were raised beforehand and not dealt with accordingly. (July 2019 - Secondary School)
(July 2019 - Secondary School)
(July 2019 - Secondary School)
Very organised company and itinerary was well thought through. We asked for some additional activities which were easily incorporated. (June 2019 - Secondary School)
There were some fine details that required further care and attention particularly in relation to restaurant bookings and payments for events. The Hotel they used and activity choices were good. (June 2019 - Secondary School)
(May 2019 - Secondary School)
good
(May 2019 - Secondary School)
(May 2019 - Secondary School)
(May 2019 - Secondary School)
(May 2019 - Secondary School)
(April 2019 - Secondary School)
Every element of this tour was absolutely first class! Guide and driver, accommodation and food and most of the spectacular environment we were immersed in! (April 2019 - Secondary School)
Some issues with arrangements that we would have been expected to have been resolved as requested in advance of the visit (rooming arrangements in hotel and restaurant booking in New York.) (April 2019 - Secondary School)
The reps were excellent - best we've ever had. (March 2019 - Secondary School)
The reps and the hotel were excellent, found dealing with head office over complicated due to constant staff changes. (March 2019 - Secondary School)
Encountered issues with the hotel representatives (lack of attendance), and an issue with a ski instructor. But this issue was dealt with the following da, and an official complaint is on going. (March 2019 - Secondary School)
(March 2019 - Secondary School)
Excellent tour of Normandy and the coach drivers were knowledgable (March 2019 - Secondary School)
(March 2019 - Secondary School)
(February 2019 - Secondary School)
(February 2019 - Secondary School)
Very helpful and given a lot of personalised service. (February 2019 - Secondary School)
(February 2019 - Secondary School)
(February 2019 - Secondary School)
Our students enjoyed an excellent History tour. The quality of guidance at a wide variety of sites was very high and pitched at exactly the right level. We were lucky enough to see a performance of R C Sherrif's 'Journey's End' in Ypres on our last day. (January 2019 - Secondary School)
(December 2018 - Secondary School)
(November 2018 - Secondary School)
Coach drivers were brilliant and knowledgeable. Hotel did what was needed. Overall ran very smoothly. The children enjoyed the experience and it gave them the opportunity to really understand the topic. It has give us the impetus to try another international trip.To make it better next time we would build in more cultural experiences. (November 2018 - Primary School)
(November 2018 - Secondary School)
Well organised and good range of sites/activities (November 2018 - Secondary School)
(November 2018 - Secondary School)
Really helpful and excellent support will away in Berlin. (November 2018 - Secondary School)
Everything was booked as requested and tickets were at venues waiting for us. first class service from beginning to end. (November 2018 - Secondary School)
Incident at the beginning of the trip with passport validity of a non EU student which led to the student not being able to travel with the group. This should have been checked by Equity as our travel provider prior to the trip departing and the school should have been consulted about List of Travellers Document beforehand. Equity representative told the school at the airport that they had never heard of this document before and that passport were the responsibility of the school (even though they checked our Polish resident and confirmed other passport details of other students with us). (October 2018 - Secondary School)
(October 2018 - Secondary School)
Very good organisation of the trip. Staff were extremely helpful and easy to contact (October 2018 - Secondary School)
(October 2018 - Secondary School)
(October 2018 - Secondary School)
(July 2018 - Secondary School)
(July 2018 - Secondary School)
I was wholly unimpressed with Equity's lack of professionalism and communication. I was passed on to four different contacts there before I found the person whom I was meant to work with. There were significant changes to the itinerary from the first to final which were not clearly communicated to me at any point. Confusion with flight times, visit times and the hotel were particularly unimpressive. Furthermore, emails were not responded to in any timely manner. I would not use Equity to plan this trip next year.
(June 2018 - Primary School)
The whole trip was outstanding. Very clear training given, students had lots of relevant experience and no activities were poorly planned or carried out. (June 2018 - Secondary School)
(May 2018 - Secondary School)
All good except the rep. We have had follow up meeting with Equity to discuss this issue. This trip was probably the best one myself and Nicky have run. Great feedback from the parents. The hotel was perfect for our needs. (May 2018 - Primary School)
(May 2018 - Secondary School)
Hotel rooms not allocated as planned. (May 2018 - Secondary School)
(April 2018)
(April 2018 - Secondary School)
Excellent organisation (April 2018 - Secondary School)
(April 2018 - Secondary School)
good trip, very worthwhile for all students involved. (April 2018 - Secondary School)
(April 2018 - Secondary School)
The operator in the UK and tour agency in Lanzarote had not confirmed some of our bookings so time was wasted with students at two sites due to miss communication. (March 2018 - Secondary School)
Not a good operator. Lack of organisation in the UK. Reps are good. (March 2018 - Secondary School)
(March 2018 - Secondary School)
(March 2018 - Secondary School)
The trip was an amazing opportunity for those students selected to go and it did not disappoint. (March 2018 - Secondary School)
Professional, well organised and child focused. They provide a learning experience that is engaging and accessible. (March 2018 - Primary School & Secondary School)
excellent service (March 2018 - Secondary School)
(February 2018 - Secondary School)
(February 2018 - Secondary School)
Some minor issues before the trip but the trip went smoothly and very happy with everything. (February 2018 - Secondary School)
Absolutely no problems/issues with equity during the booking process. Whilst there we encountered a couple of problems which I felt I had taken steps to cover prior to leaving. These concerned the hotel and I felt as if I were left to deal with it myself. (February 2018 - Secondary School)
(January 2018 - Secondary School)
(December 2017 - Secondary School)
