Children miss important educational school trips due to high living costs, financial constraints and staffing issues

Children are missing important educational school trips due to the cost-of-living crisis, lack funds, and staffing problems.

Surveys of parents and teachers revealed that school trips are rapidly declining, with parents not being able or able to pay for additional expenses and the cost of travel.

The cost of entry fees and the lack of staff were also mentioned.

The research of 433 teachers across the UK found, of those who organise school outings, 61 per cent are less likely to plan trips now compared to five years’ ago.

Too much paperwork or ‘red tape’ is also a key factor into why trips aren’t going ahead, in addition to teachers not having the time to organise excursions and having difficulty getting sign off.

As a direct response to the study findings, Hyundai, which commissioned the research, has announced its ‘Great British School Trip’ programme which has been designed to inspire school children aged seven to 14 and to support shaping their future goals.

Through the ambitious initiative, the car manufacturer is investing £1 million to send 25,000 students on school trips across the UK throughout this academic year, kicking off from January 2023.

It will offer bursaries for schools in greatest need to pay for school trips, as well as travel costs.

Providing equal opportunity

Ashley Andrew, managing director, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “School trips should provide some of the most exciting and memorable times for our young people.

They help bring their learning alive, encourage greater engagement, inspire their future ambitions. I know that’s what they did for myself and for my children.

“I firmly believe that they are an essential part of our young people’s development and something that every child should have access to.

“As a company that strives to support humanity and to foster an ambitious next generation, we are delighted to launch this pioneering initiative, which will deliver these life experiences as well as supporting teaching staff and parents.”

60% of 1,600 parents of school-aged kids agreed that more must be done to ensure that all children have equal access to school trips.

More than half (52 per cent) of children have intentionally not told a parent about an upcoming trip, with 54 per cent of mums and dads under the impression it was over their child’s concerns of their ability to afford it.

It was also revealed that three out of 10 parents say their finances and ability to afford school trips are the biggest barriers to their children going on these outings.

Study of teachers also revealed that 56 percent of educators who organise school trip have had outings cancelled, or not approved, in the last twelve months.

They would be greatly aided by more funding to cover the costs of running more school trips.

Vision for the future

Teachers have cited the main advantage of school trips as being the chance to visit places beyond the classroom.

You will also be able to connect topics and subjects more effectively, allowing your children to contextualise what they have learned in class.

Parents also recognized the benefits of educating children outside the classroom. 38% of respondents said that they enjoy the new experiences.

These benefits were also listed by the parents as creating fond memories (34%), building self-confidence (34%), and being more fun for their kids (31%).

And 39 per cent of mums and dads recognise there is a chance their youngster won’t be offered the opportunity to go on school trips during the 2022 to 2023 academic year because of a lack of school funding and volunteers.

OnePoll polled 70% of parents and found that 73% enjoyed their children’s visits to science museums, the Zoo, and adventure activities such as kayaking or climbing.

The Great British School Trip has been shaped around Hyundai’s vision for the future, Progress for Humanity, which focuses on how connections and collaboration can help accelerate progress and innovation.

All trips in the programme will cover important subjects, such as maths, art, and STEM.

As part of the initiative, the brand is working with Tim Campbell MBE as its Educator in Residence, he said: “School trips are an integral part of a child’s education and not only are a fun day out but allow children to properly cement their learning outside of the classroom.

“I firmly believe in education as a facilitator of social mobility, therefore it’s shocking that so many of our younger generation are missing out on this opportunity due to circumstances outside of their control.

“I’m thrilled to be involved with this programme and feel that it is exceptionally timely, not to mention necessary, to put school trips firmly back on the agenda.”

Teachers can now register their interest at https://greatbritishschooltrips.co.uk/To be among the first to have access to the entire programme when bookings open in January 2023.