Almost half of adults admit that school trips are their fondest childhood memories. A survey of 1,600 parents of school children found that 44 per cent are nostalgic about their formative years and outings outside the classroom – including wearing their own clothes, feeling grown up and smuggling candy in packets.
Booking the back of the bus was also on the list of the best things about a school trip, along with learning something new and spending time with friends. Almost a third (32 percent) even admitted that school trips had such an impact that it determined their professional future.
And 46 per cent said school trips were their fondest memories of their upbringing, with four in 10 admitting they still talk about various trips from their childhood. The study was commissioned by Hyundai to launch the Great British School Trip programme, which enables 25,000 school children aged 7 to 14 to take free school trips.
Ashley Andrew, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor UK, said: “As a child it’s great to go out and bring your knowledge to life – so no wonder it’s such an important memory for so many. Leaving the classroom not only creates memories but essentially brings a sense of excitement for a particular school subject.
“Also, school trips are often a child’s first opportunity to become independent, so it’s no wonder that many people remember the little things like booking the back seat on the bus and spending time with friends in a new environment not bring We firmly believe that school trips are an essential part of our young people’s development and something that every child should have access to so that they can create the same memories as their parents.”
The survey also found that almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of parents wish their child had the opportunity to go on more school trips after some great times during their school years. Looking back on their school days, four out of ten believe that these trips played a big role in reinforcing what they learned in class, and they often remember looking forward to the time when they had up to five days off from school wash.
And two-thirds (65 percent) wish they had appreciated the trips more as a child. A separate survey of as many parents found that 66 percent see it as an essential part of child development.
However, almost four out of ten (39 percent) are worried that their children will not be able to travel in the 2022/2023 school year. However, six out of ten think more needs to be done to ensure that all children have equal opportunities for school trips. And two out of five believe the responsibility for more days lies with the school itself, according to OnePoll findings.
Ashley Andrew added: “All the school trips offered as part of our Great Britain School Trips initiative will cover key subjects such as art, maths and STEM, enabling students to extend their learning beyond the classroom.”
Bookings are now available for The Great British School Trip, where teachers can choose a school trip location.
THE MOST POPULAR UK SCHOOL GO DESTINATIONS:
- Natural History Museum, London
- Imperial War Museum, London
- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon
- Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, London
- Cadbury World, Birmingham
- SS Great Britain, Bristol
- Snowdonia, Wales
- Cardiff Castle, Wales
- Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
- Holyrood, Scotland
- Tate Modern, London
- Dover Castle, Kent
- Warwick Castle, Warwick
- Stonehenge, Wiltshire
- Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
- Hadrian’s Wall, Cumbria
- The National Video Games Museum, Sheffield
- Birmingham Botanic Garden
- The gates of 10 Downing Street, London
- Gower Peninsula, Wales
Source: Bel Fast Live
