Welcome to our resource page for funding school and group residential visits. We know that reaching a critical mass of young people has the biggest impact on your class or group, and understand that financial constraints can pose a significant challenge. This page is designed to provide practical ideas and examples of trusts & foundations to help remove money as a barrier to success.
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TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS
Here are some trusts & foundations to start you off. Some of these will accept applications at different points in the year, so please don't be disappointed if you find that one isn't currently open - use it as a first step. And don't forget to check our tips to help you apply for grants.
The Great British School Trip
Hyundai, now in its third year of the Great British School Trip programme, is investing even more to ensure children can benefit from the invaluable experience of school trips, regardless of financial circumstances.
This year, Hyundai has added an extra 50,000 places to reach 160,000 pupils by the end of the 2024/2025 academic year.
Click to visit our pages and apply for support using the following links:
BlueSpark Foundation
BlueSpark Foundation is a registered charity which supports the education and development of children and young people by providing grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects.
The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is a national charity that champions all learning that happens beyond the classroom (LOtC). On their website they compile Funding and grants available to help schools and educational settings to take their teaching beyond the classroom giving students life-changing learning opportunities.
Their links also include other resources and projects for schools.
M7 Education
Previously M7E, M7 Education has taken the idea of helping educational equality one step further by making sure the experiences help increase the student’s aspirations as well as attainment. They find state schools with above 30% pupil premium and help fund educational experiences that will help both the students and the teachers!
The Ernest Cook Trust
They Ernest Cook Trust is a fund-giving educational charity. They give grants, fund outdoor Learning and find innovative ways to work with funding partners. the also provide Outdoor learning programmes for children and young people and share their love and understanding of the countryside to enable a deeper affinity with the natural world.
TOP TIPS & BEST PRACTICE
Here are some tips to help you apply for a grant from trusts and foundations in the UK:
Do Your Research: Identify trusts and foundations whose objectives align with your project. Look into their past grant recipients and funding criteria.
Check Eligibility: Ensure your project meets the eligibility criteria of the grant-maker. This will save you time and effort.
Tailor Your Application: Customize your application to reflect the values and objectives of the funding body. Use their language and focus on how your project aligns with their mission.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your proposal short and to the point. Clearly explain the nature of your project, its aims, outcomes, and the funding amount you're requesting.
Include an Exit Strategy: Demonstrate how your project will be sustainable and what your plan is once the funding period ends.
Seek Relationships: If possible, build a relationship with the grant-giver before applying. This can provide insights and increase your chances of success.
Follow Guidelines: Adhere to any guidelines provided by the trust or foundation. If there are no guidelines, try to gather information about their preferences and typical grant sizes.
Prepare for Rejection: Understand that not all applications will be successful. Learn from any feedback and keep trying.
Good luck with your application!
Ofsted, in "LOTC: How far should you go?" said “When planned and implemented well, Learning outside the classroom contributed significantly to raising standards, and improving pupils’ personal, social and emotional development.”
It's important to make sure donors, parents, colleagues and governors understand that a school residential is far more than just a 'trip' - it is a powerful, purposeful extension of the classroom that aligns closely with the school’s ethos and values. These experiences are carefully designed to be outcome-led, fostering personal growth, resilience, and independence in ways that traditional lessons cannot. They offer a unique opportunity to deepen relationships between students and staff, build trust, and create shared memories that strengthen the school community. For many children, a residential is a key moment where hidden talents emerge, confidence blossoms, and potential is unlocked. It’s an investment in their development - socially, emotionally, and academically - that leaves a lasting impact well beyond the days spent away.
To save money and to increase the value of the residential, avoid the summer term.
A school residential earlier in the school year holds particular value as it sets the tone for the entire academic year. Taking place early on, it provides a vital opportunity to build strong relationships among students and between students and staff, laying the foundation for a positive and cohesive classroom environment. It accelerates the development of key social and emotional skills - such as teamwork, communication, and resilience - that support learning back in school. By embedding the residential experience within the school’s ethos from the outset, it helps establish shared values, expectations, and a sense of belonging. This early investment in community and character can have a transformative impact, boosting confidence and motivation that carries through the rest of the year.
And on top of all of that..:
It's not too hot
Cooler nights means better sleepers!
Darker nights means stars, and torch walks, and campfires...
There are no biting insects, nettles and hayfever
It's normally a whole lot cheaper!
It might even snow... that would be brilliant.
There's a cost to residentials in terms of money, time and effort. Viewed as an investment, you'll want the best return. Objectively, the arguments in favour of planning your residentials earlier in the year really do add up.
Read more in our blog HERE.
When school children go on residentials with peers from other schools, the experience becomes even richer and more impactful. It broadens their social horizons, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and develop new friendships, communication skills, and cultural awareness. Interacting with a wider range of personalities and backgrounds fosters empathy, adaptability, and collaboration — key life skills that are increasingly important in a diverse and interconnected world. These shared experiences also challenge students to navigate unfamiliar social dynamics, boosting their confidence and independence.
For schools, it’s a chance to build partnerships, share best practices, and create a sense of wider community beyond their own walls.
We see plenty of schools opting to travel together, sharing the residential in every element. With some careful coordination, supported by us, it can also:
remove the worry of meeting minimum costs for sole occupancy
reduce travel costs
Take a look at this blog from the Windsor Academy Trust who coordinated a visit for 7 primary schools to have a shared residential experience. It was incredible, and more valuable than anybody anticipated.
Planning ahead and launching early to families is the single most important thing that you can do. We recommend at least 12 months' notice for a residential visit.
We understand that the academic year is busy and you're conscious about the number of messages during the school year, but please don't delay as you are likely to have lower uptake, and put yourself at financial risk of not recruiting enough young people to cover the minimum cost of sole occupancy at a centre.
Launching a school residential early to parents brings several key advantages that can significantly enhance the success of the experience:
It gives families ample time to plan—both financially and logistically—reducing stress and increasing the likelihood of full participation.
Early communication also allows schools to clearly explain the educational value of the residential, aligning it with the school’s ethos and learning outcomes, which helps build trust and enthusiasm among parents.
It opens the door for meaningful dialogue, addressing any concerns and fostering a sense of partnership.
Early launch creates momentum and excitement among students, making the residential a shared goal that can be woven into the curriculum and school culture well in advance.
It gives you chance to apply to Trusts & Foundations (see above) and fundraise toward the visit to reduce the cost to families and school.
Planning ahead, and more strategically, will make your programme more impactful as it can be progressive and woven throughout the school life.
If you're still struggling to reach a critical mass of young people, some schools plan to come every other year and combine year groups. Planning ahead means you can get into a rhythm so that you get the dates that work best for you and parents get to know what's coming.
Read more ideas in this fantastic blog from a teacher.
FUNDRAISING IDEAS
Fundraising for a residential delivers far more than just financial support — it’s a powerful educational and community-building opportunity.
When pupils take part in fundraising, they can develop entrepreneurial skills such as planning, marketing, teamwork, and problem-solving. They also gain a practical understanding of basic financial concepts like budgeting, profit and loss, and value for money. Just as importantly, being involved in raising funds fosters a strong sense of ownership and pride in the event, making it more meaningful and memorable for everyone involved. It strengthens the school community by bringing together students, staff, and families around a shared goal.
Fundraising Ideas for Schools and Pupils
Here are some ideas that go beyond one-off events and can even be run like small businesses:
Student-Run Pop-Up Shops: Selling handmade crafts, snacks, or seasonal items (e.g. greetings cards, decorations).
School Enterprise Clubs: Ongoing ventures like a tuck shop, uniform exchange, or eco-friendly product line.
Service-Based Fundraisers: Offering services like car washing, weeding, or tech help for the community.
Subscription Boxes: Monthly themed boxes with student-made items or curated content (e.g. book club picks, wellness kits).
Digital Products: Creating and selling e-books, digital art, or educational resources.
Event Management Teams: Students plan and run events like quiz nights, talent shows, or sports tournaments, learning logistics and promotion.
We'll bet you know lots of things that already happen in school that could be re-focussed toward supporting the cost of the residential, such as non-uniform day, or icecream sales on a sunny Friday at the school gates!
Best of luck and we can't wait to welcome you to a centre!
FURTHER READING
Why Plan For Adventure? Tips for a longer term strategy and outcomes