The local authority for the historic Square Mile, the City of London Corporation, has launched a £100,000 fund to assist school trips to the City’s many iconic venues, including Museum of London, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Barbican Centre.

The fund is for primary, secondary schools and special schools across the capital where at least 30% of pupils receive the Pupil Premium. Schools can apply for grants to cover essential costs including admission/session fees, transport hire and supply teachers. The aim of the fund is to make the City’s cultural destinations more accessible to schools in disadvantaged areas, who often find it challenging to raise funds.

The fund, which will be available for three years, will be managed by the Museum of London, and schools can apply directly via a website. The City of London Corporation is the fourth largest funder of the arts in the UK, and every year, around 200,000 pupils benefit from the City’s cultural offering, either through school trips or education outreach.

Catherine McGuinness, Chair of the Education Board at the City of London Corporation, said:

“School trips are an essential part of pupils’ development; exposing them to new learning experiences which can strengthen what they are taught in the classroom. Many young people living in London have never been outside their borough, so visits to museums, art galleries, open spaces and music centres can really help expand their horizons, boost educational attainment, as well as a number of soft skills such as confidence and team building. We hope the fund will relieve some of the financial pressures and encourage more schools to participate in cultural trips.”

Sharon Ament, Director of Museum of London, said:

“The museum is delighted to be managing this important fund on behalf of the City of London. Whether investigating prehistoric finds at the Museum of London, imagining being a Roman gladiator at the Guildhall amphitheatre, developing composition skills in a music workshop at the Barbican, enjoying a new perspective on London from the top of the Monument, or getting close to nature in Epping Forest, pupils are sure to have an unforgettable experience.”

To apply for a grant from the City of London School Visits Fund visit http://cityschoolvisitsfund.org.uk/

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For media enquires please contact Rachel Tooze, media officer at the City of London Corporation.

Tel- 020 7332 1528

Email- rachel.tooze@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to Editor

About the City of London School Visits Fund

The City of London School Visits Fund is £100,000 in total. Schools are invited to apply for grants up to £300 to go towards/cover any essential costs associated with a school trip, including coach hire, teacher cover, admission/session fees. The grants are available to London schools where at least 30% of its pupils are in receipt of Pupil Premium. Pupil Premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers. Pupil Premium funding is available to local authority maintained schools (including special schools and pupil referral units), academies and free schools. The grants can be used for trips at 19 of the City’s venues. Full list found here-http://cityschoolvisitsfund.org.uk/