Figures show that the traditional group summer outing, aimed at widening horizons and building character, is now in steep decline The end of summer term is traditionally a time for children to escape the classroom on a school trip. But increasing numbers of teachers say they have had to cut back on such outings because of rising costs and falling staff levels. Some of the country’s leading cultural venues have also reported a fall in the number of educational visits. “Cutting back on school trips or abandoning them altogether is yet another example of the detrimental impact the crisis in school funding is having on the lives of children and young people who are being denied access to enriching experiences they might not otherwise get,” said Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union. Continue reading...