Skip to main content

In-School STEM Workshops vs School Trips

A practical comparison for school leaders covering current costs, logistics, inclusion and curriculum records.

Try the Cost CalculatorBrowse Workshops
1,200+ Schools
3,100+ STEM experiences
8 Academic years
Current Trustpilot Reviews
In-school STEM workshops are a cost-effective, inclusive alternative to school trips. Workshop prices start from £597 per day, excluding VAT; use the Instant Quote for the exact price and format for your school. In-school delivery avoids transport and off-site permission slips. In-school delivery avoids off-site transport and its travel risk assessment. Hyett Education supplies the activity risk assessment, while the school retains its normal on-site duties and decides how its usual consent and family-information procedures apply.

What Are In-School STEM Workshops?

In-school STEM workshops are hands-on enrichment sessions delivered at your school by specialist instructors. A team arrives with the specialist equipment for the booked format and sets up in the agreed indoor space. The school provides the agreed tables, chairs and power; CAD also requires reliable internet. The number and pattern of sessions are confirmed in the quote.

Workshops cover robotics, coding, drone technology, AI, cybersecurity, 3D design and electrical engineering. We bring the specialist equipment. Schools provide a suitable indoor space, tables, chairs and power; the CAD workshop also needs reliable internet access. We confirm the exact setup before the visit.

By the end of the day, multiple year groups have received a full hands-on STEM experience without anyone leaving the school premises.

Students engaged in a hands-on in-school STEM workshop

At a Glance

How Do They Compare?

A practical comparison across the factors that matter most to schools.

School Trip

  • CostVaries by venue, transport and staffing requirements
  • Students reachedOne year group typically
  • Travel riskRequires risk assessment and transport
  • Staff timeSignificant planning and admin
  • Parental consentRequired for off-site visits
  • SEND accessibilityCan be a barrier for some students
  • Weather dependentYes (outdoor venues)
  • School recordsRecords for those who attend

In-School Workshop

  • CostFrom £597 per day as a floor, excluding VAT. Priced per day, not per pupil; parking may be charged at cost where free onsite parking is unavailable
  • Students reachedCapacity varies by workshop, key stage and delivery format
  • Travel riskNone: delivered at your school
  • Staff timeMinimal: we set up and pack down
  • Parental consentFollow the school's policy for on-site enrichment activities
  • SEND accessibilityFamiliar environment, adaptive teaching
  • Weather dependentNo: all workshops are indoors
  • School recordsParticipation and curriculum records can be retained

Interactive Tool

Cost Comparison Calculator

Enter your school’s numbers to see a side-by-side cost comparison.

Your comparison inputs

Enter figures from your school trip plan and a current workshop quote. Use the same VAT basis for both options, and enter 0 where a cost does not apply.

Every field is required so that no cost is silently assumed.

Use the number of pupils covered by both the trip estimate and the workshop quote.

Enter the total from a current quote. Do not use an old quote or an advertised “from” price.

Include other costs only when they apply and you have an estimate for them.

Enter all comparison inputs to see the two totals.

Use 0 for a cost that does not apply; blank fields are not treated as zero.

This calculator does not supply or validate prices. It only compares the figures you enter. Workshop availability, scope and final price must come from a current quote.

Get a current workshop quote.

The Hidden Costs of School Trips

The headline cost of a school trip (transport and venue entry) rarely tells the full story. Schools also need to account for:

  • Supply teacher cover: any school-specific cover cost for staff absent from timetable
  • Risk assessment preparation: staff time to complete, review, and approve
  • Permission slip administration: printing, chasing returns, managing non-returns
  • Packed lunch arrangements: organising alternatives for FSM students
  • Insurance and liability: additional cover for off-site activities
  • Planning and coordination time: weeks of staff time before the trip takes place

These costs need to be added to the headline trip price when making a like-for-like comparison. An in-school workshop quote sets out the workshop price and format in advance.

Read our full breakdown of school trip hidden costs →

How In-School Workshops Support Ofsted Evidence

Workshop records form part of a school’s own evidence. Since November 2025 Ofsted reports separately graded evaluation areas rather than one overall grade, and a hands-on workshop contributes to several of them. Useful records describe the intended curriculum link, who participated, what pupils did and how the school evaluated the activity.

Curriculum & Teaching

Schools can record deliberate links to computing, design and technology or science where these formed part of the activity.

Personal Development & Wellbeing

Schools may record planned and observed opportunities for STEM career awareness, teamwork and problem-solving.

Attendance & Behaviour

Staff may record observed participation and collaboration without treating one activity as proof of a wider outcome.

Inclusion, Achievement & Leadership

Schools may retain records of access, pupil work, spending decisions and follow-up.

The school decides how participation and curriculum records fit its wider evidence. Inspectors no longer carry out curriculum deep dives, and no single workshop determines an evaluation.

Read more about recording and evaluating STEM enrichment →

Inclusive Enrichment in a Familiar Setting

School trips can create participation barriers for some pupils. Cost, medical needs, anxiety about unfamiliar environments, physical accessibility and consent arrangements may all affect who can take part.

An in-school workshop can reduce some off-site barriers because pupils remain in their own school with familiar staff present. We use adaptive teaching strategies and ask the school to share relevant access needs before delivery. Participation still depends on the timetable and arrangements agreed with the school.

Where Pupil Premium is used, the school can retain its funding rationale and an accurate participation record, then evaluate the activity within its wider strategy.

Read about inclusive STEM enrichment for every student →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Further Reading

Related Articles

The Hidden Costs of School Trips

What your budget doesn't show when planning off-site visits.

Read article

Recording and Evaluating STEM Enrichment

How schools can record curriculum links, participation and learning within their own evaluation.

Read article

Why Schools Are Choosing Workshops Over Trips

Practical reasons schools are shifting to in-school enrichment.

Read article

Inclusive STEM Enrichment

How in-school workshops reach every student, including those trips leave behind.

Read article

Ready to See the Difference?

Get an instant price for your school or browse our full range of STEM workshops.

Get Instant PricingBrowse Workshops