£5 Million Fund to Support 20,000 School Trips, Including First Visits to London
This autumn, an exciting new programme begins to change the way thousands of children from some of the UK’s most disadvantaged areas experience school trips. A £5 million grant from the Clore Duffield Foundation will fully fund visits for 5,000 pupils across Blackpool, Cornwall, and Portsmouth. For many, this will include their very first visit to London.
This funding is especially important now. With the rising cost of living, many schools have cut back on trips. Research from the Sutton Trust shows that half of schools have reduced outings. This number rises to 68% in the most deprived schools. The Clore Duffield Foundation’s grant covers all costs, removing financial barriers so children can explore new places and ideas.
The programme offers a wide range of trips. Students will visit top London museums like the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A, the Science Museum, and Tate. They will see famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. Theatre trips are also planned, including The Lion King and visits to the Old Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Around 1,500 children will travel to London for the first time. Another 4,500 will visit the seaside, countryside, and places of natural beauty like Lake Windermere and St Michael’s Mount. Many will explore UNESCO World Heritage sites and National Trust properties.
The Foundation is also supporting teachers with training on how to organise successful trips. These sessions take place at cultural venues like Showtown in Blackpool and the Hall for Cornwall. This helps schools run better trips for years to come.
In the first year, 12 schools are part of the programme, including Pensans Community Primary School and Highfield Leadership Academy. Their headteachers have praised the impact of the trips. For many pupils, these visits offer a chance to see the world beyond their local area and gain new inspiration.
Applications for the second year are now open. The focus remains on schools in Blackpool and Cornwall where at least 28% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Schools interested in applying must do so by 6pm on Friday 28 November 2025. More details are available on the Clore Duffield Foundation website.
This programme is part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to making arts, culture, and learning opportunities accessible to all children. Through these trips, thousands of young people will gain new experiences that can inspire and broaden their horizons.
Find out more and apply, please visit: https://www.cloreduffield.org.uk/schooltripgrant
Deadline for applications: 18:00 on Friday 28 November 2025.
Featured images: (Left) Pensans Community Primary School. Photograph by Ian Kingsnorth. (Right) Highfield Leadership Academy. Photograph by Hannah Harley Young
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.