Fund launched for residential outdoor learning trips

In response to the cost-of-living crisis, PGL has launched a Breakthrough Fund to give UK schoolchildren the chance to benefit from residential outdoor learning trips.
 
Schools across the UK will now be able to apply to the PGL Breakthrough Fund to support thousands of children from the lowest income groups to receive heavily subsidised, or in some cases even free, outdoor learning trips for their students.
 
PGL CEO Anthony Jones says: “Outdoor education shouldn’t just be the privilege of those who can afford it, especially at a time when more families are struggling financially.
 
“Every week I see children overcoming challenges that they never thought they could, whilst staying away from home for the first time without their parents. These breakthroughs are a life-changing experience that every child deserves and should receive.”
 
A February 2023 survey of 365 schools by PGL revealed that those with higher levels of Pupil Premium funding take part in outdoor learning less frequently than those with fewer pupils receiving support. They also find it difficult to prioritise school trip funding for these students.
 
Pupil premium allocation is perceived by teachers to be used predominantly on educational trips (70 per cent) and supporting pupils’ social, emotional and behavioural needs (69 per cent). But teachers at schools with the highest levels of Pupil Premium (61 per cent of pupils and above) say that they spend more on breakfast clubs and meal provision (up to 69 per cent) and less on school trip funding (down to 50 per cent).
 
The Breakthrough Fund will support schools by ensuring that access to outdoor education is not lost when family incomes and Pupil Premium funds are re-prioritised to cover basic education needs.
 
The Breakthrough Fund will offer a range of funding support, dependent on the number of families in need of financial support at a school and will vary from: 50 per cent of the total cost of a trip will be funded by PGL for schools with high level of students in need of financial support.

30 free residential trips will be available each academic year for primary schools in need of the most financial support, typically those with the highest levels of Pupil Premium, usually accounting for at least 61% of students. PGL will support such schools by providing up to 1,200 free spaces a year.

The fund will provide a range of funding support and free places for schools where the overall need for financial support across the student population is low, but, ensuring those children who do need support are able to experience the same opportunities as their classmates.
 
PGL has been running a pilot initiative throughout summer 2023, with the intention of launching the Breakthrough Fund to schools in May 2024. For each of its 14 centres in England & Wales, PGL has selected a primary school with a high levels of children with families in financial difficulties to offer an entirely free residential trip.
 
The new fund follows the launch of PGL’s new REACH educational programme, which has been designed with teachers to deliver character education and development for pupils, in accordance with Ofsted guidance.

Find out more information here.