Which department is your perfect match? How to plan cross-curricular school trips that really work

You might not think to plan a trip with another department — but the right partnership can reduce workload, increase take-up, and result in something even more memorable for your students. Cross-curricular itineraries are becoming a popular option for schools looking to do more with their educational trips. Read on to find out why...

Why combine subjects?

• Improved take-up makes trips financially viable
• Lower cost per student improves accessibility
• Shared workload reduces pressure on trip leaders
• More staff to help with supervision and support
• Richer experiences through cross-curricular learning
• Stronger student connections, as pupils mix with peers they wouldn’t normally spend time with

Top tips for planning a multi-subject school trip

1. Find the right match

The best trips come from genuine collaboration. Look for departments with natural crossover, like history and politics, or simply a shared interest in the destination. A quick conversation could be all it takes.

2. Choose a destination that works for everyone

Some locations, such as major cities, naturally support multiple subjects, making planning far easier and avoiding compromise. See Voyager’s tried-and-tested pairings below for inspiration.

As long as both departments can clearly link the trip to their curriculum, you’re on the right track.

3. Plan a balanced itinerary

One combined itinerary makes things much easier to manage. But if that’s not possible, don’t worry. Voyager’s logistical experts can help organise an itinerary that blends subject-specific activities and “together time”. Balance is the key:

• Subject-led visits or workshops
• Shared cultural experiences
• Time for students to socialise and bond

These shared moments are often where friendships form, especially between students who wouldn’t usually mix in school.

4. Share the workload (and the paperwork)

Teaming up makes planning far more manageable, alongside your day-to-day role. Two heads are better than one when you:

• Split responsibilities and deadlines
• Share communication with SLT and parents
• Reduce duplication, for example, creating one combined risk assessment

Top tip: agree responsibilities from the outset and make use of individual strengths (get the art department to design the trip poster or the maths teacher to manage the deposits!).  

5. Make the most of extra staff on the trip

More hands help everything run more smoothly. With multiple adults, it’s easier to:

• Supervise at key moments like border crossings or public transport
• Run evening activities and manage mealtimes more effectively
• Manage routines like rooming and bedtimes

Bringing staff from different departments has other benefits too. It can help you achieve a better gender balance and a wider range of useful skills — from first aiders to staff who speak the local language.

It also means less pressure on individuals (and a more enjoyable experience for staff as well as students).

6. Use combined numbers to unlock better value

• Share fixed costs such as transfers, coach hire and tour guides
• Reduce the price per student
• Make trips financially viable

For many schools, this is what turns a “maybe” into a confirmed trip.

7. Think beyond the trip

The benefits don’t stop when you return to school. Cross-curricular trips give students valuable exposure to subjects beyond their usual timetable, helping students:

• Develop transferable skills
• See topics from different perspectives
• Build confidence in unfamiliar areas
• Increase creativity and curiosity

It can also lead to meaningful outcomes back in school, from joint projects, stronger collaboration between departments, and even new friendships. 

Teacher testimonial: Watch the video on how the Drama and French departments at The Market Weighton School joined forces to create a successful trip to Paris, with unexpected benefits.