MORE than 1,400 disadvantaged young people will be able to enjoy an outdoor learning adventure this year, thanks to a new funding boost.
Schools from across the south east will be able to apply for grant support to help deliver fun educational experiences, such as hands-on conservation work, wildlife surveying, practical geography and geology, or learning ways to tackle climate change.
It comes after a new round of funding from the South Downs National Park Trust, which is the official independent charity of the National Park. The boost has been supported by AMEX and the Sussex Community Foundation.
Julie Fawcett, chair of the South Downs National Park Trust, said: “We’re really excited to be able to provide funding once again for these vital school grants. School trips and outdoor learning are such an important part of growing up and learning more about the world.”
Schools with more than 10 per cent of pupils eligible for Free School Meals can apply for support when planning trips up to the end of summer term 2022.
Teachers and pupils have been full of praise for the school trips last year.
Nicola Wells, headteacher at Barton Farm Primary Academy, Winchester, which visited Marwell Zoo, said: “Following the lockdown we were desperate to be able to give our children the opportunity to take their learning off site.
"Our Year R cohort had missed out on so many rich learning experiences due to Covid and we wanted to make their first ever school trip a really memorable one but we were concerned that the escalating coach travel costs would make this unfeasible for this year group.
"I was therefore delighted to learn of the travel grant programme. The trip was a resounding success and only made possible by the generous support of the travel grant. Our children had a wonderful experience at Marwell Zoo and it was a brilliant way to kickstart their learning again.”
Sue Poore, a governor at West Rise Junior School in Eastbourne, said: “We really appreciate the travel grant that we receive from the South Downs National Park.
"School budgets being as tight as they are, this grant enables us to offer our children an additional paid trip to the wonderful countryside around Cuckmere Haven. As a school we are believers in the therapeutic benefits to children of outdoor space particularly at this time and we are so fortunate to have this amazing facility on our doorstep.”
Meon Junior School, in Southsea, took 52 Year 6 pupils for a residential trip last June. The outdoor learning opportunities were planned to enhance their topic work and teachers said it “ensured every child has access to a full enriching curriculum.”
Schools will receive a grant up to £750 to support with the costs of travel and activities (£500 travel, £250 activity costs) when visiting a site or provider in the South Downs Learning Network, which is made up of over 100 learning providers across the region.
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis. For more information and to apply for a grant visit southdowns.gov.uk/learning/grants-for-schools/
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