Tuesday 6th December 2022: Children are missing out on school trips due to the cost of living crisis, lack of funds and staffing issues.
A study involving 2,000 teachers and parents across the UK and commissioned by Hyundai, has revealed that school trips remain on the decline with the cost of travel, parents not being able to afford to cover additional expenses, entry fees and lack of staff being listed as the key factors.
As part of the study, research of 1,600 parents of school aged children revealed over half (52%) of UK children have intentionally not told a parent about an upcoming trip, with a further 54% of parents admitting it was over their child’s concerns of affordability. Three in 10 parents revealed that finances are the main barrier to sending their children on school trips.
Specific research of 433 teachers revealed that of those who organise school trips, 61% are less likely to plan trips now – compared to five years ago. Over half (56%) of teachers who organise school trips have had outings cancelled or not approved in the last 12 months, and more funding to help cover the costs would benefit in supporting them to run more trips.
As a direct response to the study findings, Hyundai announces its ‘Great British School Trip’ programme. This activity has been designed to inspire school children aged seven to 14 and to help them to shape their future goals.
Through the ambitious initiative, Hyundai is investing £1 million in the programme and is committed to sending 25,000 pupils on school trips across the UK over the next academic year, kicking off from January 2023. The automotive company will offer bursaries to help the schools most in need to fund their school trips, including booking fees and travel costs.
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 to bring their learning to life, encourage greater engagement and 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.”
The Great British School Trip has been shaped around Hyundai’s vision for the future, Progress for Humanity. This vision focuses on how connections and collaboration can help accelerate progress and innovation. The programme will support the curriculum by covering important subjects such as art, maths and STEM as well as being centred around four themes: Imagination and Curiosity, People and the Planet, Journeys and Adventures and Breakthroughs and Discoveries.
Over 200 venues have shown their support for the initiative by signing up as trip locations already. Children will be able to explore locations including RAF Museum Midlands, PGL, The YHA, Disney Theatrical and Nottingham Playhouse, amongst others.
Tim Campbell MBE has been announced as Hyundai’s Educator in Residence as part of the initiative. Tim sits on the City of London Education board and is Chair of Governors at an outstanding London secondary school. Tim spoke about The Great British School Trip: “School trips are an integral part of a child’s education. Not only are they 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, so it’s shocking that 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.”
The research of 1,600 parents of school-aged children revealed 60% agreed more needs to be done to ensure all children have an equal opportunity to go on school trips. Furthermore, its drawn attention to the benefits of school outings, according to teachers, with the opportunity to visit places outside of the classroom cited as the main advantage, as well as being able to link topics and subjects in a more meaningful way and allowing children to contextualise their classroom learnings.
Parents also acknowledge the pros of educating children outside of the classroom, with 38% saying the new experiences it gives them beyond the classroom is a huge plus. As well as this, they also listed that creating fond memories (34%), building confidence (34%) and it simply being more fun for their children (31%) were other advantages.
However, 39% 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. As many as 70% of the parents polled said their children enjoy the visits they go on, with science museums, the zoo and adventure activities, like kayaking or climbing, among the favourites.
Teachers can now register their interest in the programme at https://greatbritishschooltrips.co.uk/ to be among the first to access the full programme when bookings open in January 2023.
