School trips 'out of reach' - leaving 1 in 5 kids missing out on 'vital' skills

School trips 'out of reach' - leaving 1 in 5 kids missing out on 'vital' skills One in five children have never been on an overnight school trip as cost and anxiety pose barriers Eight in 10 youngsters learn more outside the classroom - yet 22% have never been on an overnight trip with school. A study of 1,000 pupils aged 10 to 17 and their parents revealed 92% of mums and dads reckon school trips can be life-changing for young people, with 90% believing excursions develop skills that are tougher to learn through lessons alone. More than two thirds (68%) of parents whose child attended a school trip also spotted a positive transformation when they returned. Confidence (68%), responsibility for their own behaviour (59%) and practical life skills (41%) emerged as the top skills youngsters develop during school trips. A further 58% of parents said school trips boosted their child's ability to solve problems with others, while 41% noticed their child became more confident chatting to new people. Young people identified many of the same benefits. What's more, 26% of youngsters came away interested in pursuing a career linked to something they had experienced on the trip. The research was commissioned by PGL Beyond as part of its annual School Trip Index Report, which explores how learning opportunities beyond the classroom contribute to life, personal development and future readiness, alongside the barriers preventing young people from taking part. Anthony Jones, CEO of the provider of educational outdoor adventure, residential and enrichment experiences for schools, said: "School trips are so much more than memorable experiences. They are vital enrichment experiences which help young people to build confidence, independence and resilience; strengthen relationships and wellbeing; and develop the skills that support their future learning, work and adult lives. "For many young people, a single school trip can broaden horizons and develop skills that continue to shape them long after they've returned to the classroom. "But the reality is that not everyone has the same opportunities. For too many, these experiences are out of reach." The research found additional expenses, such as lunches and kit (43%), and parental anxiety about their child being away from home (42%) were the top barriers preventing young people from taking part in school trips. Young people reported similar concerns, 56% cited costs, feeling anxious about attending (56%) and worrying about missing home (54%) as factors that could prevent them from taking part. The data from OnePoll revealed 73% of parents wish to see more overnight stays organised for pupils. More than a third (36%) specifically want to see more overnight excursions due to the role these experiences play in shaping young people's future aspirations. Anthony Jones, from PGL Beyond, added: "No young person should miss out on opportunities to learn, grow and build confidence because of cost or circumstance. "At a time when more young people are becoming disconnected from education, training and employment, widening access to these opportunities is increasingly important. "When more young people can access high-quality enrichment experiences, the benefits are felt far beyond the trip itself." THE TOP 10 SKILLS KIDS LEARN ON TRIPS ACCORDING TO CHILDREN. - Feeling comfortable being away from home. - Working well with other people (like classmates or friends). - Finding my way around new places. - Being more willing to try new activities. - Looking after my own belongings. - Feeling more confident when things are challenging. - Following instructions in a real-life situation. - Solving problems when something unexpected happens. - Managing my time (like being on time, sticking to plans). - Speaking up or asking questions in public places.