Financial Support for Schools, Families and Individuals

Keeping an educational visit within reach in a challenging financial climate.

At Cumulus we have always worked with schools to carefully tailor residential programmes to fit each specific budget and set of outcomes, however we all recognise that these are particularly financially challenging times.

We don’t want any young people today to miss out on an invaluable memory-making experience, one that helps with developing important life skills and expanding horizons, so we’ve come together to find ways to keep it within reach – for both schools and supporting families.

  • Dorsey Waterpark with Cumulus Outdoors
  • DofE Summer Gold Residential participants standing up on kayaks
  • Climbing with view Dancing Ledge
  • group enjoying nature walk jurassic walk
  • girls climbing jacob's ladder as part out outdoor activities and high ropes course at Cumulus Outdoor in Swanage
  • DofE participants sitting on raft before starting the race

Lower-Cost, More Affordable School Trip Options

  • Off-Peak Accommodation-Only Residentials –  Available during the quieter months of February, March, April, October or November. By opting not to have an activity led programme, the price is significantly reduced, making your trip more affordable.  School staff are able to lead their own activities within the local environment utilising iconic landmarks in the area such as Corfe Castle, Old Harry Rocks and Studland Beach, Swanage Beach and Pier, Durlston Country Park and Swanage Railway. Simply being in a new environment and location triggers inquisitiveness, a sense of adventure and a thirst for learning – creating the perfect backdrop for an educational school trip.
  • Off-Peak Part-Self-Led, Part-Activity Programs – Available during the months as listed above. By swapping one or two activity sessions for a school staff self-led session, the overall cost of your residential trip can be made more affordable. By combining your own self-lead sessions with activities delivered by Cumulus, children can enjoy variation throughout the programme, whilst your school’s learning outcomes are still being met. For example, we could work with you to plan a trip focusing on team cooperation, confidence building and leadership, collectively across activities.
  • Helpful Support – In addition to the above, we can help provide information to schools on charities and agencies specifically offering financial assistance to families or individuals wishing to undertake a residential.
Students working together in a crate building challenge, fostering teamwork and making learning fun through hands-on activities

Wonderful Support Available for Students and Families

We have recently worked closely with The Tony Trust, successfully enabling students to attend both school educational visits and Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residentials. Families apply directly to the trust where individual cases are discussed and a donation towards the cost of the trip is awarded to the student concerned. The donation is paid directly to the company delivering the residential so there is no onus on the family or the school to be involved in payment.

Feedback from the families who have received monetary assistance from the Trust has always been positive, commenting how easy the process was and how valuable the donations were in enabling their child to attend the trip with their friends – gaining the many benefits of taking part.

See below for a list of helpful financial support.

Agencies and Charities Providing Financial Support

Financial Grants and Support for Schools

https://www.evolveadvice.co.uk/grants

https://alpkit.com/pages/foundation-apply

https://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities/grant-programmes/educational-visits/ (Secondary schools in Greater London and Essex)

https://ernestcooktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/everything-outdoors/communities-grant/

https://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/explore-our-grants-and-apply/holiday-grants-for-children/holiday-grants-for-children-overview

https://www.happydayscharity.org/applications

Financial Support for Individuals

https://www.andyfanshawe.org/information_for_applicants.php

https://alpkit.com/pages/foundation-apply

https://www.thetonytrust.org/apply

Kit Support

https://kitsquad.co.uk/apply-for-gear/

Group photo of school coasteering
group photo of school orienteering

Our mission is to enable as many children as possible to access the amazing experiences of a school educational visit in a stunning location.

We work closely with schools and parents and just one facet of our inclusive approach is to provide information on grants, charities and foundations that specifically support children.

To find out how we can work to your budget requirements, to make your Dorset School Trip more affordable, contact us to speak with our experienced and friendly team today.