Why International Schools Worldwide Choose Rayburn Tours

International schools like Doha College, the British International School of Chicago, and the Shenzhen College of International Education trust Rayburn Tours because we understand the unique challenges and expectations of international education. From language immersion trips led by experienced linguists to geography and history tours tailored to exam specifications, our portfolio showcases an expansive range of subjects and destinations.

Financial Protection and Peace of Mind With Flights

When you book through us, you’re not just booking a tour… you’re securing full financial protection and expert support throughout your journey.

• ABTOT bonded, ATOL licensed, and ABTA members – These memberships ensure your payments are protected. If anything were to happen to us as a company, your package payments would be reimbursed via the ABTOT scheme.
• Flight Booking & Support – Whether flights are booked through us or arranged locally, your group benefits from full financial protection and our expert support. We’re happy to include flights in your package where possible, and if we don’t handle a specific route or carrier, we’ll guide you through booking it independently to ensure the best value and smooth coordination. Should any disruptions like cancellations occur, we’re on hand to help with rebooking and logistics; if you’ve chosen our insurance, we’ll also assist with your claim.
• School-Specific Insurance – Our tailored travel insurance, offered through Aviva Insurance Services, adds an extra layer of reassurance, covering the specific risks and needs of school groups.
• Ongoing Risk Monitoring – We keep a close eye on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, exchange rate fluctuations, and local developments so we can act quickly to protect your trip if conditions change.

When you partner with us, you gain peace of mind that your group is in safe, experienced hands – from booking to return.

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Planning a Trip with Us As An International School: What to Expect

Organising an international school trip should be exciting, not stressful. That’s why we aim to make the process as smooth, collaborative, and supportive as possible. Here’s what you can expect when planning a trip with us.

1. Starting with a Personal Connection

From your very first enquiry, we aim to build a relationship. We’ll usually suggest a video call via Teams or Google Meet to better understand your needs, time zone, and preferences. This approach helps avoid phone charges and gives you the reassurance of a face-to-face conversation, something many international schools really value.

2. Tailored Itineraries Designed to Fit Your Curriculum

Whilst our standard itineraries are primarily designed with UK schools in mind, they remain highly relevant to international schools – especially those following the GCSE curriculum, IGCSE, or the IB curriculum. The educational content of our activities and excursions often supports the same learning objectives across these curriculums, making them just as valuable for international groups. We’re always happy to tailor any itinerary to suit specific requirements, whether that means including a particular activity or extending the duration of the trip. Our flexible approach ensures each itinerary works for your school’s unique needs.

3. Sensitive to Cultural and Dietary Needs

We understand that international groups come with diverse backgrounds and expectations. From arranging halal or kosher meals to acknowledging and respecting cultural differences, we’re here to ensure every student feels welcomed, comfortable, and catered for throughout the trip.

4. Reassurance with a Dedicated Tour Manager

For many international schools, particularly those travelling from further afield, having an experienced Tour Manager on hand brings real peace of mind. We recommend including a Tour Manager, especially for new groups, to provide in-person support throughout the trip. It’s part of our commitment to ensuring you feel guided and looked after from start to finish.

5. Support with Visas and Documentation

If your group requires visas, we can provide a letter of invitation to support your application. Just let us know what’s needed – we’re here to help make the process as straightforward as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can we pay in our own currency?
  We are only able to accept payment in Pounds Sterling (£ GBP). It is possible to charge your students in the local currency, however any payment to Rayburn Tours must be in Pounds for the amount as invoiced. Once you have booked your tour, the exchange rate is fixed (from GBP to your destination’s currency), so your price is guaranteed against any subsequent currency fluctuations.

• Can you arrange flights?
  Rayburn Tours can take care of your flight arrangements, however some international schools choose to make their own flight arrangements. It should be noted that the financial protection offered by Rayburn Tours’ ATOL accreditation is only valid if flying in or out of the UK/EEA.

• Can you arrange a visa?
  Should your students need a visa to travel to the chosen destination, we can provide a letter of invitation, proof of accommodation, receipt for payment, along with other documents you will need for a visa application. However, groups are responsible for making their own visa application and the cost of this is completely separate to the tour package with Rayburn Tours.

• Will there be anyone to accompany us on the trip on international school trips?
  There is the option to have a member of our team accompany you on your trip to offer additional support and help to ensure your trip runs smoothly. Find out more about our Tour Managers

• Can I talk to Rayburn Tours whilst out on international school tours?
  Yes, a 24-hour emergency phone number will be provided in your final documents pack and one of our experienced members of staff will be happy to help with any problems you have whilst out on tour.

• Do you provide travel insurance?
  For your financial security, you are required to have insurance when travelling with us on international educational tours, whether it be your own or the cover we provide through Aviva.

• Can you cater for specific dietary requirements?
  We endeavour to ensure any specific dietary requirements are met. We will ask you to provide a list of dietary requirements ahead of travel so that we can notify the accommodation and/or any restaurants. If you have restrictions due to religious observance, it may be necessary to follow a vegetarian diet for the duration of your tour.

• Can you cater for religious observance?
  If you would like to set time aside for prayer or for visiting a place of worship, please notify us and we will incorporate this into your itinerary.

• Can you arrange a tour to meet our curriculum requirements?
  All our tours are tailor-made to meet your educational needs. If you have any particular study areas or topics you would like to cover, please just let us know at the time of making your enquiry and we will discuss with you how to incorporate this into your tour.