School Trip Funding
ways to fund your educational visits
School trips are an incredibly important part of school life, and really help children to make the connection between what they are learning inside the classroom, and the wider world. Trips can inspire pupils at all key stages, from KS1 visits to a museum where they can view and touch objects that have been discussed as part of history lessons, to KS4 science museum trips, where students can observe world leading research in action.
How much do school trips cost?
Unfortunately, school trips are rarely free, and for schools and parents, the financial cost of outside the classroom learning can be prohibitive. Places like English Heritage, and CADW in Wales offer free access for self-led school visits, but even then there is the cost of travel between school and venue. Schools are forced to restrict and prioritise trips despite knowing that their benefits are proven and observable.
A typical day trip can range in cost from £10 to a staggering £60 per pupil. This is the cost of entry to the actual venue, though the cost of coach hire if your school does not have access to a minibus or two is likely to add a few hundred pounds to the total cost for the class. Some schools have been coming under fire in the media in recent months for asking parents to fund trips well in excess of a thousand pounds. Keep your costs down by taking a look at our low cost educational trips page.
Who pays for school trips?
While most people assume that the parents always pay, in many cases the school have to find sources of funding for trips. Activities which take place during school hours, whether that is inside or outside the classroom, are supposed to be funded by the school, though they often ask parents for a voluntary contribution, and sadly, if the shortfall cannot be met by the parents, many schools are unable to proceed with the trip or workshop.
No such thing as a free school trip?
Actually there is... If you are looking to take a trip outside the classroom, your group has a high percentage of pupils on a pupil premium, and your trip is educational rather than reward based - we may be able to help organise your trip for free! Head to our page about M7 Education and let us know what type of trip you are looking for. As long as it is educational, and your group meets the pupil premium requirements, there may be funding available!
What sources of funding are available?
One of the most accessible ways to subsidise a school trip is through local authority funding for low-income families. Some LEAs have been operating a waived fees scheme allowing money to be repaid to pupils eligible for free school meals.
Community or charitable trust funding may exist in your area, especially if it is an area suffering a high level of unemployment, and is well worth investigating. These funding schemes are often set up with the goal of improving educational engagement and achievement and may be backed by local businesses.
Some places want to get bookings pencilled in and will offer early bird discounts, while others will have low season or last minute availability that may be heavily discounted, so do try to be as flexible as possible on dates if you want the best price.
Some grants and bursaries are offered direct from venues. Take a look at our page of free and subsidised school trips for a full list of these bursaries and funding available for educational visits.
Or see below for some other sources of funding..
updated 22 April 2025
Eligibility: pupil premium ratio of 35% or more and Greater London based
The Ernest Cook Trust offer Outdoor Essentials Grant for state schools to 'enable pupils to connect to nature and learn outdoors'. One key use for the grant is for transport costs, to allow your class to go on a school visit to a forest school, farm, park, woodland or coastal area.
Eligibility: UK wide
The Edina Trust is offering grants to EYFS and primary schools for science projects under their 'Science Grant Scheme'. Each year the scheme is made available to schools within different local authority areas. The grants are worth up to £800 per year for three consecutive years. The grant is designed to help fund science weeks and educational visits and trips.
Eligibility: check current LEA areas
The YHA (Youth Hostel Association) operates 'Breaks for Kids', which can offer financial support for children who would not otherwise be able to afford to take part in a school trip. These trips my be part of fully funded.
Eligibility: open to schools in England and Wales
The Arts Council of Wales have a 'Go and See Fund' which offers grants of up to £1,000. The fund is designed to help state maintained schools in Wales take students on visits to see art in venues across Wales.
Eligibility: percentage of pupils with free school meals will be taken into account
The Ski Club of Great Britain bursary scheme is available for any school to apply for, and which can significantly reduce the cost of a school ski trip, helping Key Stage 3 & 4 student experience skiing and snowboarding.
Eligibility: no known restrictions
Outdoor clothing and equipment company, Alpkit, are offering up to £500 to eligible schools, to support a variety of projects. In line with their outdoor brand, they are encouraging schools to undertake responsible outdoor activities, that introduce children to new experiences with lasting benefits. Ideal projects would focus on environmental or conservation projects.
Eligibility: no known restrictions
The UK Government, through the Department for Education have a 'Nature Park Grant' that offers schools an opportunity to request up to £10,000 to enable them to support outdoor education that allows children to connect with nature, such as the purchase of fieldwork eqipment.
Eligibility: lower-tier local authority assessed as a category 1 levelling up area and LSOA in category 1
Marine conservation charity, Sea Changers have made available grants of up to £2,500 for school groups. These grants are designed to help you carry out marine conservation related activities. You would be a good candidate for funding if your trip or project looked at the various threats and challenges, and identified ways to reduce negative impacts, on coastal environments or species in the UK.
Eligibility: no known restrictions beyond meeting the learning objectives
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