A report from Citizens Advice revealed that 50 per cent of parents pay more than £10 per school day trip that their child attends, and for those who go on residential trips, this cost can reach as much as £200.
One issue pointed out by parents when it comes to financing school trips is that they are not given enough notice to budget and save in order to cover the costs. The report also showed that those families on low incomes didn't know that they could actually be exempt from paying some, or all, of the cost of these trips.
The Real Deal
The rules surrounding the charges schools can apply for educational trips are hazy. Basically, schools are able to charge parents a fee for board and lodging for school residential trips, but they can't charge for activities that take place during school hours, although they can ask for voluntary contributions.
This often makes those parents on low incomes feel obliged to make a contribution that they realistically can't afford with many schools implying that the trip could be cancelled if there aren't substantial contributions. The reality of the situation is that those parents who are entitled to free school meals are exempt from these charges.
However, leading charities often point out that children from low income families are often isolated or bullied at school as a result of their parents not being able to afford new uniforms or to pay for school trips.
For parents on low incomes, the main cause of concern is that their child could suffer academically as a result of not being able to attend the trips that are linked to the curriculum. It is often the case that schools exclude those children who can't pay from the trip, despite the rules clearly stating that contributions should be voluntary.

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Parents whose children attend secondary schools face an average annual amount of £1,000 just to cover the 'added extras' of their child's education. And primary schools aren't much better, costing parents as much as £600 per year.
According to figures from national charity, Gingerbread, lone parent families are five times more likely to have an income of less than £200 per week making it very difficult for them to budget to cover the cost of school trips. This means that families are forced to borrow extra money to cover these extra costs, adding to their already difficult financial circumstances.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Helping Hand
There is little help available to help cover the cost of school trips. However, some local authorities can help towards the cost of school uniforms. Some do offer grants for extra expenses, but these are usually reserved for those with 'exceptional circumstances'.
One form of funding that has been successful in helping parents on low incomes with the costs associated with their child's education in Horizon. This project is supported by Barclaycard and charities including Gingerbread, Parent Line Plus, Citizens Advice and The Family Welfare Association. It is through the latter that parents are able to access grants to help support parents with costs associated with education.
My daughter has 2 school trips for this year. Although technically one is for yr5 and other is yr 6! (June and October)
The price for both is £470… we are just over the threshold for fsm.
I can’t work due to health and get pip, my husband works part time after a brain tumour.
We are on Uc.
She’s being diagnosed with autism.
The trips would really benefit her. But I just can’t afford it, and the anxiety of her not being able to go is too much.
We have 1 month to find £750 for it,is there any help we can get
Does any one know any charities that will help?
Just search benefits and not paying board and lodgings and the .gov website will advise you.
Do NOT pay if you don’t have to or can’t afford to.
I am a working single parent. I claim UC. Would I be able to get any help towards the cost? Thank you
I too would like to know if there are any grants available.
Many thanks
Carlo marcello
I'm a single parent and unemployed at present
Thanks
I have a school trip on june going to Spain
Only one of my parents works.
The trip costs £425 but I cant affort it .
If a little help possible will be a good thing for me
Please!
I always have to say no to my son for school trips as being a single parent on a low income supplemented by Tax credits I simply can’t afford it. But his school have a trip to Madrid that is open firstly to pupils on their school football team and those who have taken PE as a gcse subject. All his friends are going and it’s the only trip he really has his heart set on. Having placed a deposit so he doesn’t lose his place in the trip, I contacted the school stating my situation. They have offered no help. I feel belittled having contacted them in the first place - trip letters always state to contact them if the cost would be financially difficult. It’s heart breaking to say no to everything simply because financially you can’t afford it. What do I do?
She was devastated and I just feel bad that now and opposition we found herself in I don't want my children to be held back or disadvantaged in any way. I I have three children and all will have trips in the future and I probably will have to say the same to them which is so sad and seems so unfair if there is any help out there I'll be very grateful to know about it thank you
My daughter has just come home with a letter for a German trip £460. I feel dreadful that due to my illness I have let her down and she can't go.
Regards
Nadav
I am currently studying at college doing a animal care level 3 course because of this I have luckily been given the opportunity to travel to the Galápagos Islands this trip would enable me understand the type of conversation the islands perform as this is a field I one day hope to go into. Unfortunately like all great things this trip comes with a heavy price and that price is £3500 sadly for someone like me who lives on benefits this is a trip that may turn more into a dream than a reality. I’m not asking for a miracle but any help would be helpful and I would forever be grateful
Thank you
First of all thank you for your good works. I am a Parent governor in a school, London. There has been an issue of financial shortage of the School, and the School is unable to help some parents for school trips. I have been receiving complains from parents who are not happy with the School and these parents need financial help. therefore i am making more research to help parents and the school by proposing to organisation and foundations to assist in any form.
Please can these parents get help and what is the procedure?
Thank you, hoping to hear from you soon.
There are many trips on offer - New York for a thousand pounds, Germany five hundred pounds etc. At primary school level the year 6 residential trip was also totally unaffordable for us. Why is there no funding from local authorities for poor working families?
Many thanks M
Thanks
I too have twins, age 13, and I have the same issues. Have you spoken to the school itself? This worked for one of my boys......
Twin 1's school (non fee-paying Grammar) has a trip to France (even though they're studying Spanish!!) later this year at a cost of £450. I contacted the school and explained that I am a single Mum and have just come off ESA and am now on JSA. They have offered to cover half of the cost and so Twin 1 is going on his trip.
Twin 2's school (local Academy school) announced a trip to Belgium at a cost of £455 and so based on Twin 1 going to France I had to say yes; assuming I'd be offered similar financial support. When I contacted the school they said that they don't have funding to support pupils wanting to join in overseas trips and that I would have to pay the full amount.
Fortunately for Twin 2 the trip was cancelled because there wasn't enough interest but it does mean that in his eyes he's still loosing out.
Good luck
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