Immersive Visit Leader Training (France)
This is Visit Leader Training with a difference!
EVOLVE Advice is offering a unique opportunity to complete Visit Leader training during a fully-funded immersive visit to PGL Beyond’s Château d’Ebblinghem, France from 19-21 November 2026.
Immersive Visit Leader Training is a fantastic opportunity for new and experienced Visit Leaders. But don’t just take our word for it! Hear from a previous attendee about the added value you get from our immersive training courses…
It was a transformative experience for Wayne Holder, EVC at Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School, Leicester (Wayne attended Immersive EVC Training in 2023). More videos below.
ABOUT THE COURSE:
You will complete your Visit Leader Training with our experienced Educational Visits Advisers as well as participating in scenario-based tasks and activities through an immersive educational visit residential in France. You will visit popular venues and providers regularly attended by school groups on visits to PGL Beyond’s centre in France, providing a real-life context in which to apply your learning in risk management.
TIMINGS
This is a 3-day, 2-night visit. Full timings and itinerary will be available soon!
DELIVERY METHOD:
Training is delivered by EVOLVE Advice with logistical support from PGL Beyond.
A 3-day, 2-night facilitated training visit delivered by EVOLVE Advice Educational Visits Advisers and hosted by PGL Beyond. This will be an interactive event starting with a typical coach and ferry/ eurotunnel crossing to France, and experiencing practical scenarios, classroom sessions and discussions whilst being immersed in an overseas residential trip.
CERTIFICATION:
Participants will receive full Visit Leader certification on completion.
Applications can be made between 11 June 2026 and 3 July 2026. Submission of an application does not guarantee a place. Places will be allocated by random selection after the closing date. Apply to be included in the draw for one of 19 available places on this visit. One place per establishment. Eligibility criteria applies. A £75 cancellation charge will be applied if a applicant accepts a place and then cancels. See full T&Cs, here.
This immersive training visits is fully-funded by PGL Beyond and EVOLVE Advice.
WHO IS PGL BEYOND?
PGL Beyond is a network of brands with a shared mission, to spark breakthroughs in young people through transformational experiences that go beyond the classroom. Brands include PGL, NST, European Study Tours, and Studylink.
As a family of leading educational travel brands, they have been enriching the lives of young people for over 60 years.
COURSE RATIONALE:
This training course will cover aspects of the law and good practice related to educational visits, risk assessment of visits and the administrative requirements associated with off-site educational activities as recommended by the Department for Education.
It will also engage the delegates in meaningful discussion in an immersive environment with peers and experienced EVOLVE Advice Advisers.
The course will enable you to plan and manage your school’s educational visits and off-site activities in line with OEAP National Guidance and current good practice, preparing you to fulfil your Health & Safety obligations.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is aimed at new and existing Visit Leaders in all schools (Maintained, Independent Schools, Foundation Schools, and Academies) in England and Wales.
Please note this course is not aimed at FE and HE settings, but aspects are transferrable.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Enhanced knowledge and understanding about the effective supervision of young people taking part in educational visits activities.
Greater confidence and ability to act as the Visit Leader.
Increased competence in risk assessing and managing risks on educational visits.
A real and practical understanding of the role of a visit leader.
COURSE CONTENT:
This course aims to equip you with the key requirements of a competent Visit Leader. The course outlines key considerations in planning an educational visit, updating you with current good practice in the supervision of young people.
The course provides training in strategies used for risk management and risk assessment off-site and will include theory and practical sessions on:
Planning
Risk management
Competence
Supervision
Guidance
Best Practice
Legal issues
FEES
£0. This is a fully-funded visit (including e-learning, workbook, full Visit Leader certification, travel, meals and accommodation as above.) One participant per school/education setting.
Please note: owing to high demand, places are limited to one per establishment. Priority is given to people who have not attended a previous immersive training course with EVOLVE Advice in the last 3 years.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Return travel from UK pick up point to Château d’Ebblinghem
2 nights’ accommodation at Château d’Ebblinghem in a single occupancy room
All meals
All excursions
LOCATION
Château d’Ebblinghem, 59173
Course Dates
19-21 November 2026
Places will be allocated by random selection after the closing date. Apply to be included in the draw for one of 20 places on this visit.
One place per establishment. Eligibility criteria applies.
See full T&Cs, here.
What do people say about immersive EVC training?
Find out more about the immersive training and what to expect, from EVC, Wayne Holder.
Scenario-based learning enables you to test theory and prepare for challenging situations.
You'll experience the visit like your school group would - getting an insight into the provider, activities etc
It’s a great opportunity for new EVCs.
Experienced EVCs will find it invaluable too.
Testimonials
Here’s what people said about the last immersive visit:
“As a busy headteacher it was great to have a few days just to focus on the important EVC aspect of my role. Having been an EVC for a number of years it was great to refresh my training in a new context. The opportunity to resolve problem scenarios ‘in real time’ with immediate feedback was invaluable”. -Matt O’Grady
“It’s been a really valuable experience and it’s been really good to meet other people who do similar jobs in a wide range of schools. The balance was just right between training sessions and excursions and I’m leaving with an even bigger sense of enthusiasm for educational visits”. - Maurice