Rayburn Tours Wins Best School Tour Operator (Large) 2025!

We’re celebrating, having won the School Travel Awards – Best Large School Tour Operator award!

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Rayburn Tours Wins Best School Tour Operator (Large) 2025!

Last updated: Nov 28th, 2025

Rayburn Tours is proud to announce that we have been named Best School Tour Operator (Large) at the 2025 School Travel Awards, which is one of the most respected prizes within the UK’s educational trips sector.

Receiving this accolade during our 60th anniversary year marks a milestone in our history. It recognises not only the longevity of our work, but also the continued impact we strive to make on the educational journeys of young people across the UK.

With more than 34,000 passengers travelling with us this year, the award highlights our enduring commitment to delivering high-quality, curriculum-enriching experiences that support both learning and personal development.

A Significant Moment in a Defining Year

“Winning this award in the same year as our 60th anniversary feels especially meaningful… It’s a celebration of six decades of dedication, growth, and impact, and this recognition affirms that our values and commitment continue to resonate just as powerfully now as they did when we started.”

John Boyden, Chairman

A Testament to Service, Safety, and Educational Value

At the heart of this recognition is the strong relationship we have built with teachers and educational leaders.

It’s such a fantastic win, especially as all the entrants in our category are highly reputable companies. I think our unwavering focus on the customer experience will have helped us to attract many of our votes.

Jamie Boyden, Managing Director

Rayburn Tours has always had a family feel, and that sense of unity remains strong even as we’ve grown into the ‘Large’ Tour Operator category… The dedication, passion, and collaboration of our team are what truly made this award possible.

Kelly Wigley, Operations Director

Why This Award Matters

This award affirms the role educational visits play in a young person’s development. When students step beyond the classroom, they encounter new perspectives, engage with real-world contexts, and return with a broader understanding of the subjects they study.

To be recognised as leaders in facilitating these opportunities is an honour that reinforces our purpose, which is: to inspire, to educate, and to open the world to the next generation of learners.

Looking Ahead: Continuing to Raise the Standard

Whilst this award marks an important moment, it also strengthens our commitment to advancing educational travel in meaningful ways. In the years ahead, we will continue to:

Enhance the quality and curriculum alignment of our tours
Expand our destination portfolio thoughtfully and strategically
Invest in sustainability initiatives across our operations
Strengthen partnerships with schools, educators, and sector leaders
Maintain the highest standards of safety, support, and service excellence

A Sincere Thank You

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the teachers, schools, and students who continue to place their trust in us. Your support is central to our success!

This award is also a reflection of our team’s hard work and shared belief in the power of educational travel – without the passion and enduring effort of everyone in the company, this success wouldn’t have been possible.

Join Us as We Shape the Future of Educational Travel

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we look forward to working with even more schools and educators in the years to come. Whether you are planning a history trip to Berlin, a geography adventure to Iceland, or a cultural immersion experience in New York or beyond, Rayburn Tours is ready to support you.

Explore our award-winning tours or contact our specialist team to discover how we can help you create meaningful, curriculum-rich experiences that inspire students and elevate learning beyond the classroom.

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