28 June 2024 , 08:10
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The "bank of gran and grandad" is stepping in to fund school trips for cash-strapped families, with nearly a quarter of parents admitting they've had to skimp on essentials to afford them, according to a survey by Zurich Municipal.
Some 23% of parents have confessed to cutting back on day-to-day necessities to scrape together enough for their kids' educational jaunts. It's not just parents tightening their belts family members are chipping in too, with one in 10 parents revealing that the grandparents have coughed up for school trips, while 8% have had an aunt or uncle foot the bill.
Children are contributing as well, with the research showing that one in eight have engaged in fundraising activities to pay towards trip costs, and another one in 10 dipping into their pocket money. A fifth of parents are feel embarrassed about their struggle to cover the cost of their children's trips.
Despite worries over expenses, 35% of parents still believe that school trips are essential for their child's learning experience. Tilden Watson, who heads education at Zurich Municipal, commented: "School trips bring a plethora of benefits to young lives, it's heartbreaking to see so many could miss out due to cost. These trips can also expose some children to new places and experiences that they wouldn't necessarily get to enjoy with their families so they really do offer a window to the world they otherwise wouldn't see."
The findings come from a OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK parents with children aged between five and 16, conducted in May. Parents may be eligible for assistance with school-related expenses, including meals, transport and uniforms.
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Citizens Advice provides information on their website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/education/help-with-school-costs. Additionally, parents can reach out to their respective schools to inquire about available support.