UK, 28 January 2025 – In its ongoing mission to bridge the gap in educational opportunities, Hyundai’s Great British School Trip programme has reopened applications for its bursary fund. Designed to ensure every child can experience the joy and enrichment of school trips, this initiative offers crucial financial support for schools in need, covering booking fees, travel costs, and more.
Now in its third year, the programme has already reached 146,882 schoolchildren and is on track to achieve its ambitious goal of sending 160,000 students on school trips by the end of this academic year.
Bridging the Gap Amid Rising Costs
Recent research commissioned by Hyundai highlights the stark reality many families face:
- 64% of UK parents struggle to afford school trips due to financial constraints.
- 94% of parents have had to cut back on household spending because of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
- On average, children missed out on five trips last year, with 16% of schools forced to cancel trips entirely due to affordability issues.
These figures underscore the critical need for initiatives like the Great British School Trip. Not only do school trips provide invaluable educational experiences, but 63% of parents also report their benefits on children’s mental well-being.
Yet, for many families, these opportunities remain out of reach. Nearly half of UK parents (49%) worry about the long-term effects of missed school trips on their children’s development.
A Lifeline for Families
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai Motor & Genesis UK, stressed the importance of the programme:
“These findings highlight the financial challenges many families are facing, making it harder to access school trips. While parents are eager to provide these opportunities, rising costs are increasingly putting them out of reach. Through our Great British School Trip programme, we’ve already supported 146,882 children, and in response to these findings, we’re reopening bursary applications to help even more families. This reaffirms our commitment to ensuring as many children as possible can benefit from the invaluable experience of school trips, regardless of financial circumstances.”
Investing in Educational Enrichment
Hyundai Motor UK has committed £3 million to this initiative, enabling children to visit a range of exceptional venues such as the Imperial War Museum, Boscobel House, and Knowsley Safari Park. Despite this significant investment, 16% of children still lack access to even the most affordable trips, making the reopening of bursary applications a vital step forward.
How Teachers Can Apply
Teachers across the UK are encouraged to apply for bursary funding through the programme. Applications are open from 28 January and can be made via the official website: greatbritishschooltrip.com.
By providing financial assistance to schools and families, Hyundai’s Great British School Trip is empowering children to explore, learn, and grow outside the classroom, ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial hardship.
For more information or to submit an application, visit: greatbritishschooltrip.com.
