Government urged to enhance support for schools under foreign trips program as approval rates plummet from 90% to just 30%
Government urged to enhance support for schools under foreign trips program as approval rates plummet from 90% to just 30%
A significant two-thirds of schools applying for funding to send students on transformative trips abroad were denied, raising concerns that disadvantaged students are being overlooked in the Turing Scheme.
Union leaders are urging the government to rectify the lower funding allocations that schools receive compared to its previous scheme and help bridge the gap of disadvantage.
Despite a record number of applications from schools this year, many leaders have opted out of the program due to the complicated application process and challenges in accommodating all students on these trips.
Interest from schools
Pepe DiâIasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, stated, âSchools and sixth forms are eager to participate in the program, yet the government isnât showing the commitment to aid them.â
âAt a time when language study is at risk, the chance for students to study abroad from an early age should be encouraged and celebrated. This data, however, suggests otherwise.â
The flagship scheme, named after Alan Turing, was launched five years ago as a replacement for the EUâs Erasmus+ program, with a renewed focus on social mobility.
Former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson permitted trips under this scheme to take place outside the EU.
This year, the program faced nearly ÂŁ30 million in cuts, bringing total funding down to ÂŁ64 million, a four-year low.
According to Department for Education data, only 32 percent (140) of school applications to the Turing Scheme were approved this year, a steep decline from 90 percent one year prior.
In comparison, universities had a 99 percent (115) success rate, with further education institutions seeing a 51 percent (140) approval rate.
Worrying decline
Schools reported the fewest students placed in Turing placements (5,071) and received minimal funding from the program (ÂŁ7 million). Although they allocated the highest percentage of placements (82 percent) to disadvantaged students.
DiâIasio remarked that âcompared to Erasmus+, funding for the school sector appears to have diminished significantly.â The ASCL advocates for increased governmental support to help close the disadvantage gap.
Ian Birbeck from Projects Abroad described the decline in school approval rates as âalarming,â expressing concern that leaders might lack âthe confidence to invest time and effort into the application process.â
Following a successful application last year, Bellevue Place Education Trustâs leaders chose not to apply again.
CEO Mark Greatrex shared, âWe felt we could not repeatedly handle this.â One headteacher dedicated their Easter holidays to the project while other staff assisted in securing student passports.
Record applications
Paul Rickeard, CEO of the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust, noted hesitation in engaging with Turing due to concerns of not being able to include all students, fearing an unintended bifurcation of opportunities.
Birbeck emphasized the urgent need for transparency regarding project rejections and a higher overall awareness of the scheme.
The Department for Education emphasized its goal to provide necessary funding for successful school and FE applications, which means funding was fully allocated this year, capped at ÂŁ300,000 for a consortium of schools, unlike previous years when funds were spread thinly across multiple providers.
The DfE reported a ârecord number of applications from schoolsâ submitted this year.
Future of Turing
Greatrex described how his 11-school trust originally aimed to send all its âyear six children on a cultural trip to Florence,â but after receiving only a partial grant, they scaled down to just four schools serving the most disadvantaged areas based on free school meal eligibility.
âIronically, the individual who crafted the application from one school wasnât selected, which was disheartening,â Greatrex added.
As of now, there has been no announcement on funding continuation for the Turing Scheme for the next year. In May, Skills Minister Jacqui Smith revealed that discussions were underway to âwork towardsâ rejoining Erasmus+ on âmuch better financial terms for the UK.â
Details regarding the Turing Scheme for future years will be disclosed in due course.
Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)
Romero Catholic Academy Trust
Director of Academy Finance and Operations
Ormiston Academies Trust
Principal & Chief Executive
Truro & Penwith College
Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement
London & South East Education Group
Sponsored Posts
Subscribe
Join as a subscriber to stay informed with the latest breaking news and discussions in the industry.
Your Thoughts