Taking children out of school for learning outside of the classroom opportunities can bring financial pressure on schools and families. By utilising support, resources and low-cost travel options, there are many ways to keep costs down and make school trips accessible for all learners.
Grants and schemes for educational visits
There are a number of grants and funds available to support learning outside the classroom, particularly for those in disadvantaged areas. These schemes are designed to make school trips affordable or provide opportunities for children to engage with particular learning.
Here are a few options to consider:
The Ernest Cook Trust: This charity provides grants to schools for outdoor learning experiences, often focusing on environmental education. Whether it is a trip to a nature reserve or hands-on learning about conservation, it is a fantastic resource for nature-based visits.
The John Lyon’s Charity: Schools within certain London boroughs can apply for funding to support extra-curricular activities, including school trips. This grant helps cover costs for travel, accommodation, and entry fees.
The Heritage Lottery Fund: Schools can apply for funding to support trips with a heritage focus, such as visits to historic sites, museums, or cultural landmarks. This is particularly useful for trips that align with history or social studies curriculums.
Community Foundations: Connect people and organisations with local causes that matter to them. There are Community Foundations across the UK, each of which provides grants to causes in their local area.
Arts Council Wales’ Go and See Fund: Supports visits to galleries, theatres and arts centres in Wales, including performances and exhibitions.
Alpkit Foundation: Offers small grants to help schools get outside and experience wild places.
Great British School Trip: Hyundai has invested £1m in this project that aims to get up to 90,000 disadvantaged pupils out on school visits.
Easyfundraising: Teachers and parents can sign up to the company which is partnered with over 7,500 brands who will donate part of what you spend towards educational visits.
Keeping travel costs down
Travel costs are often one of the biggest expenses when organising school trips, but there are several ways to keep these under control:
Free transport schemes: In some regions, public transport is free or heavily discounted for school groups. For example, Transport for London (TfL) offers free travel for school groups on buses and trams, making it much easier to organise trips around the capital. Teachers just need to apply in advance for a school travel scheme permit.
Many rail companies also offer discounted fares for school groups. National Rail provides a GroupSave discount that allows up to four students to travel for the price of two, and some regions have their own specific offers for educational trips.
Shared transport solutions: If your school is planning a trip to a popular destination, consider teaming up with a nearby school to share a coach. Splitting the cost of transport between two or more schools can significantly reduce expenses while also fostering collaboration between students.
Walking or cycling: For local trips, why not walk or cycle to the destination? Not only does this cut transport costs, it promotes physical activity and well-being. If the destination is within walking distance, it can be an excellent opportunity for students to explore their local community on foot, observe their surroundings, and engage in discussions along the way.
Do you have tips for keeping costs of educational visits down?
Get in touch and share ideas and tips with other teachers and EVCs, by emailing editorial@schooltravelorganiser.com.
