£1m ‘Great British School Trip’ programme launched

Hyundai has launched the ‘Great British School Trip’ programme, which will provide 25,000 school children aged seven to 14 with free school trips in 2023. The company will offer bursaries to help the schools most in need to fund their school trips, including booking fees and travel costs.

The launch comes as Hyundai releases research showing that nearly half of parents (46%) admit that their fondest childhood memories included school trips.

The study of 1,600 parents of school aged children, commissioned by leading car manufacturer, Hyundai, has revealed that 44% feel nostalgic about their formative years and trips outside the classroom. Over a third (32%) also admit that school trips had such an impact that they shaped their future career path.
 
Two thirds (65%) of those surveyed confess that they wish they had appreciated school trips and their benefits more when they were at school, with just under three quarters (72%) revealing that they want their children to have the opportunity to go on more school trips.
 
Nearly two fifths (39%) also 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 due to lack of school funding and volunteers.

Ashley Andrew, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “When you’re a child, it’s great to get out and about to bring your learning to life, so it’s no wonder it’s such a key memory for so many.

“Getting out of the classroom not only creates memories but fundamentally also brings a sense of excitement to a particular school subject. Also, school trips are often the first opportunity for a child to gain a sense of independence so it’s no surprise that many people remember the small things like reserving the back of the bus and spending time with friends in a new environment.
 
“We firmly believe that school trips are an essential part of our young people’s development and something that every child should have access to, creating the same memories as their parents.”
 
Through the ambitious initiative, Hyundai is investing £1 million in the programme, which 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 be centred around four themes: Imagination and Curiosity, People and the Planet, Journeys and Adventures and Breakthroughs and Discoveries.
 
The research drew attention to the benefits of school outings, 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.
 
Over 350 venues have shown their support for The Great British School Trip by signing up as trip locations already. Children will be able to explore locations including Peak Activity Centres, The YHA, Disney Theatrical and The V&A, amongst others.
 
Working together on the initiative, Tim Campbell MBE is Hyundai’s Educator in Residence. Tim sits on the City of London Education board and is Chair of Governors at an outstanding London secondary school. Tim recently visited Ghyllgrove Primary School in Essex to discuss the importance of school trips and chat about his own memories from his school days. Speaking about the programme, Tim said: “School trips are an integral part of a child’s educations, and I remember my own outings with such fond memories, even all these years later! What’s more, being able to turn these trips into further learning within the classroom is such an important skill and something that should be available for everyone. This programme is extremely timely and will be crucial in putting school trips firmly back on the agenda.”