Education Group Access Pass

Who is eligible to purchase the Education Group Access Pass?

The Education Group Access Pass (EGAP) is available to eligible education organisations whose students or members are in full-time or early years education.

There are three categories of EGAP:

• Home educating groups
• Not-for-profit education groups
• For-profit education groups

Eligible groups may include:

• Childminders
• Colleges/sixth forms
• Education centres/field study centres
• Home-educators
• Pre-schools/nurseries
• Schools
• Scout and Guide groups
• Universities/university societies
• Youth clubs

The eligibility for either the not-for-profit or for-profit EGAP categories depends on the specific circumstances of the group that is applying:

• Private schools are eligible for the not-for-profit tier if established as a not-for-profit organisation or charity.
• For academies made up of multiple schools or institutions, we recommend that each school should hold its own EGAP.
• Commercial companies without a specific or core focus on education aren’t eligible to hold the EGAP. For example:
  • A commercial company that runs tours or activities to people of any age, and/or where education is not their core focus, would not be eligible for any EGAP.
  • An outdoor education centre/field study centre with a clear focus on those in full-time or early years education would be eligible for an EGAP of the appropriate category.
• Outdoor experience providers who are not eligible for an EGAP may be eligible to run activities or events at our places via the Responsible Experience Providers Scheme. Find out more details.

The National Trust reserves the right to make the final decision on whether a group falls within the definitions of the respective EGAP categories.

All groups (except home educators visiting solely with their own children) must ensure sufficient insurance is in place for all group visits. Groups without sufficient insurance are not permitted to purchase or use an EGAP.

Costs and payment

Subscriptions cover one year from the date of purchase. 

Education Group Access Pass category	Rate (inclusive of VAT)
Home educating family	£63.00
Not-for-profit education group	£63.00
For-profit education group	£189.00

Payment for Education Group Access Passes must currently be made through the Supporter Services Centre via an approved debit or credit card, cheque, BACS or bank transfer. We can't issue invoices for access passes, and you won't be able to apply for an EGAP at the places in our care.

For each subscription paid, you'll receive one access pass for your school or organisation. If your school or organisation regularly runs multiple trips to different National Trust places at the same time, each visiting group would require their own EGAP. You can buy any subsequent passes for your group at the same price as the first pass, and each pass would have its own start and end date.

Education Group Access Passes don't automatically renew and currently can't be renewed before the group's existing pass expires. When the pass expires (one year after purchase) you can contact the Supporter Services Centre to re-apply.

How to plan and book a visit with an Education Group Access Pass

All group visits must be booked at least seven days in advance directly with the place(s) the group intends to visit. A small number of places may require booking further in advance of seven days due to capacity and resource, so we advise booking as far ahead as possible. Bookings by home educators are not required unless the place requires booking for all visitors.

Risk assessments must be completed prior to a group visit. Group leaders are encouraged to make a preparatory visit to a place for planning purposes and to aid the creation of risk assessments. These pre-visits must also be booked in advance: a valid EGAP must be shown, and any accompanying adults or children are subject to normal admission charges. Groups should enquire with the place(s) they are visiting if help is required to identify hazards, support safe visits, and/or to try and meet specific requirements.

All education groups must provide evidence that they have public liability insurance with a minimum £5m indemnity limit in place for each visit (other than home educators when parents/guardians are visiting solely with their own children). For the highest risk activities, such as coasteering or air ballooning, a minimum £10m indemnity limit must be in place.

Insurance can be evidenced by the group sharing a letter from their insurance provider or broker stating that sufficient cover is in place. This should be shared with the place the group is visiting at the time of booking a visit. Verbal confirmation of insurance won't be accepted as evidence of cover.

Group organisers must also:

• secure the right permissions from parents/guardians as required
• ensure their group adheres to health and safety procedures during each visit
• ensure suitable leader/adult to child supervision ratios are adhered to

Additional educational services and activities

Many places have additional charges for offers beyond admission, such as access to self-led resources or facilitated sessions.

Please note - an EGAP usually covers admission and/or parking but does not cover the cost of educational services and activities if these are additional. Where additional charges apply, payment must be made directly to the place that is being visited.

Payment for educational services and activities can be taken via a till at the place on the date of the visit via cash, card or cheque (depending on the capability at the specific place). Please check with the place at the time of booking.

If necessary, if the group has a registered account with the National Trust, an invoice may be raised by the place for any additional activities or educational services if the group leader isn't able to pay on the day.

Further useful information when visiting with an Education Group Access Pass

EGAP holders receive free admission and parking at most National Trust-operated places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during published opening times where normal admission applies. For all EGAP groups (other than home educators), this includes weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, so long as this complies with the specific place’s group admission policy.

Home educating EGAP holders are entitled to use their pass during normal school hours in term time only. A maximum of two parents/guardians may enter on one home educator’s pass.

Places not managed by the National Trust (such as English Heritage and National Trust for Scotland-operated places) are unable to accept EGAPs for admission or parking.

Group leaders should present a valid EGAP when visiting to guarantee admission and avoid normal admission fees being charged. There are no limits on how frequently a valid EGAP can be used, subject to other terms and conditions being met.

We hope all groups can make good use of their EGAP, but unfortunately we are unable to issue refunds regardless of if any visits have been made or not.

Information supplied during EGAP registration will only be processed as set out in the National Trust’s privacy policy to help us manage your pass.

Discover information about our Safeguarding Statement.

A renewal letter will be sent to you in the post prior to your EGAP expiring.

Ready to start a year of group adventures?

To purchase an Education Group Access Pass, please contact our Supporter Services Centre who will be happy to help you. You can:

• call us on 0344 800 1895 (local rates apply)
• email us at enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk