Exploring the Benefits of School Trips

They also offer a unique opportunity for pupils to explore new places, cultures, and ideas, all of which can help encourage personal and social development.

Throughout this article, we’ll explore the multitude of benefits gained from school trips, from an educational, social, and health perspective.
 

Why are School Trips Important?

School trips can be great fun for pupils and provide everlasting memories for children to cherish for years to come.

Below are some of the key reasons why school trips are important:
 

Improved Confidence

Depending on the pupil, school trips, particularly residential ones, can be challenging for an array of reasons. It could be their first time away from home and pushes them out of their comfort zone for the first time.

School trips are also a great way to encourage children to overcome the challenges they face and can boost a pupil’s confidence and self-esteem. According to a study by the Evaluation of Learning Away, 87% of Senior School pupils reported that they felt more confident trying new things on a school trip.
 

Promotes Independence

Especially for younger children, being away from home and in a new environment is often their chance to experience a new level of independence. We often see our pupils come away from school trips with a newfound level of self-sufficiency, especially when the trips are longer and involve nights away from home.
 

New Experiences

School trips offer children the chance to experience things they may not have had the opportunity to do otherwise. For example, a school trip to a different country can expose pupils to a different culture and way of life, in a structured and educational setting.

Experiencing new and exciting aspects of the world is a great way to grow as an individual.
 

Educational Benefits

Many school trips focus on the educational benefits, first and foremost. Whether it be visiting a historic castle, local museum, or experiencing new cultures abroad, school trips provide a level of education that can’t always happen in the classroom as children gain first-hand insight.

We have noted below some of the educational benefits gained from school trips:
 

Enhanced Learning Experiences

A change of setting can encourage pupils to become more involved in the subject matter and offer additional context to their learning. Being able to interact and immerse themselves in the experience is a great way to further develop their knowledge.
 

Practical Knowledge

In addition to an enhanced learning experience, school trips offer pupils the chance to learn practically. For example, children visiting a local farm can gain insight into where their food comes from, the production process, and even take part in some of the jobs required to run a farm.
 

Cultural Awareness

There is an additional educational benefit of school trips that involve visiting a country. These types of trips are an excellent way for pupils to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity. For example, a cohort of 40 pupils and teachers travelled to Zanzibar in summer 2023 and helped with a community project to provide bathroom facilities, a perimeter fence and a water fountain, with the pupils having an incredible and rewarding experience.

Visiting different parts of the country or of the world exposes children to different cultures, traditions, and ways of life. This can help broaden their perspectives and increase their understanding of other cultures.
 

Social and Emotional Benefits

School trips can also provide a range of social and emotional benefits for students.

Below are some of the ways that school trips can help pupils develop socially and emotionally:
 

Team Building

Whether pupils are challenged to complete a task as a team or are simply spending time together in a new, unknown environment, school trips can help children to build trust with each other.
 

Improved Social Skills

Spending time with peers in a new environment can help pupils learn how to interact with others in a kind and respectful way. This can be especially valuable for children who struggle with social skills or who aren't given opportunities to interact with others outside of the classroom.

Health and Fitness Benefits

School trips can also provide health and wellbeing benefits such as physical activity.
 

Physical Activity

School trips can often involve physical activities such as hiking, walking tours, and adventure sports.

These activities provide pupils with an opportunity to engage in physical exercise and improve their overall fitness levels. Pupils are more likely to engage in physical activity when it's with their peers, outside of school, and in a fun environment. Many children are given the opportunity to try canoeing, climbing and abseiling for the very first time on these outward bounds trips.
 

Stress Reduction

Another benefit of school trips is stress reduction. Children, especially those in their Senior years, can experience stress due to their personal and school life. School trips can allow pupils an escape from their daily routine and engage in fun activities with their friends, creating lasting memories.
 

Final Thoughts

School trips can offer lots of different benefits for school children. Not only do they provide an opportunity for pupils to learn outside the classroom, but they also help to develop their social skills, increase confidence, and encourage personal development.

Learn more about The High School of Glasgow's range of school trips by clicking here. From scuba diving in Mexico to carrying out fieldwork on Arran, our pupils have lots of stories to tell.