Immersed in EVC Training
Guest article: PGL Beyond
Empowering EVCs with the power of an educational visit
PGL Beyond partnered with educational visits specialists, EVOLVE Advice to deliver a three-day immersive training visit for a group of 22 Educational Visit Coordinators (EVCs), providing them with the knowledge and training they need to make their educational visits a success.
This visit took place in November 2025, hosted at PGL Beyond’s fantastic Château d’Ebblinghem in Northern France. This enabled them to take part in immersive, hands-on training, real-world scenarios, and experience the same excursions that their students would on an educational visit.
EVCs, advisers and PGL Beyond team on their way to the Château d’Ebblinghem
The training started from the moment the group boarded the coach from London to Dover, and on arrival to Dover, the EVCs received a briefing from P&O Ferries to introduce the new European Entry/Exit System and experienced it firsthand before boarding a ferry to Calais. Whilst on the ferry, P&O Ferries led a guided tour of the ship to support future risk assessment planning and EVOLVE Advice proposed real-world scenarios, such as, ‘What would you do if a member of your group had lost their passport?’, helping EVCs to plan for the type of incidents that could happen and provide solutions to take forward for future visits.
Once in France, the EVCs continued their training in classroom-based sessions and while out on excursions to earn their EVC certification from EVOLVE Advice, covering how to plan a visit, risk management and assessment, supervision, guidance, and more. This training empowers EVCs to return to their schools with the tools they need to plan and deliver well-planned, high-quality experiences.
Angela Willerton, Educational Visits Adviser at EVOLVE Advice said,
“At EVOLVE Advice, we believe that effective training should go beyond theory and be something that teachers can confidently apply to their own situations.
On this visit we’re able to simulate the real-world experiences EVCs will encounter - whether it’s managing a ferry crossing, dealing with a delayed coach, or supporting students through unfamiliar environments. These realistic scenarios help build confidence, decision-making skills, and a deeper understanding of the EVC role. Immersive EVC Training is about meaningful, hands-on development that empowers EVCs to lead safer, more enriching visits.”
The immersive training visit also included a town trail around St. Omer, a visit to La Coupole history centre to learn about the preparation of V2 rockets during WW2, a WW1 artefacts session from PGL Beyond’s history expert, Alana Britton, and an introduction to the world of chocolate production at Les Chocolats de Beussent, a local chocolate factory.
PGL Beyond experts were also on hand to speak with the EVCs, hearing about what the barriers were preventing their schools from booking trips and advising on ways that PGL Beyond can help to break them down. The visit was fully funded by PGL Beyond and EVOLVE Advice enabling EVCs to experience this unique opportunity at no cost to their school.
James Waite from Rosebery School, said,
“This training will help me boost the confidence of the staff at my school, to encourage them to do more trips that take students outside of the classroom even more than we already do.”
Jess Norman from Netherhall Mead Academy, said,
“I’ve learnt that we all need to do the best that we possibly can, and I have been bowled over by the energy and enthusiasm for school trips. Knowing that there is a group of people that share my enthusiasm is really exciting.”
Linda Green, Head of Product Portfolio at PGL Beyond, shared that they are ‘natural partners’ with EVOLVE Advice.
“We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to take part in outdoor adventures and educational visits. By working with EVOLVE Advice to empower EVCs and break down any barriers, more young people will have the chance to experience learning and life outside of the classroom.”
For more EVC Training from EVOLVE Advice visit www.evolveadvice.co.uk
by Libby Beacham
PGL Beyond