Children missing out on essential educational school trips amid cost-of-living crisis

School trips are on a rapid decline, a study has revealed – with six in ten teachers (61%) admitting they are less likely to plan an educational day out now than they were five years ago.

The cost-of-living has played a major role in the dwindling numbers of school trips, with teachers and parents alike mindful of costs such as travel, entry fees, and additional expenses parents may have to cover.

And a poll of 433 UK teachers found that over half (56%) who have organised a school trip in the last 12 months have had it cancelled or not approved – due to too much paperwork or “red tape”.

Other key reasons for not having a school trip signed off include a lack of school funding, and not enough staff volunteers.

As a result of this, over a third (39%) of mums and dads polled, in a separate study of 1,600 parents, recognise their child may not be offered the opportunity to go on a school trip at all in the 2022-2023 academic year.

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 to help the schools most in need to fund their school trips, including booking fees and travel costs.

Ashley Andrew, managing director at 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.”

A separate study of 1,600 parents, of school-aged children, also revealed 60% agreed more needs to be done to ensure all children have an equal opportunity to go on school trips.

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

It also emerged three in ten parents said their own finances, and being able to afford school trips, is the main barrier to sending their children on these outings.

And for those teachers who have had trips cancelled or not signed off, more funding to help cover the costs would benefit them hugely in supporting them to run more school trips.

The research has subsequently 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.

Other top benefits include being able to link topics and subjects in a more meaningful way, and allowing children to contextualise their classroom learnings.

Parents also acknowledged 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.

As many as 70% of the parents polled, via OnePoll, said their children enjoy the visits they go on – with science museums, the zoo, and adventure activities, like kayaking or climbing, among the favourites.

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 on the programme will cover important subjects such as art, maths, and STEM.

The brand is working with Tim Campbell MBE as its Educator in Residence, who said: “School trips are an integral part of a child’s education, and are not only 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 here to be among the first to access the full programme when bookings open in January 2023.