New School Trip Index Report highlights the positive impact of school trips in developing important life skills – but cost and anxiety mean many young people are missing out.
Eight in ten young people say they learn more when they are outside the classroom but 22 per cent have never been on an overnight trip with their school, new research reveals.
A study of 1,000 children aged 10 to 17 and their parents found 92 per cent of mums and dads believe school trips can be life-changing for young people. A further 90 per cent feel excursions develop skills that are harder to learn through lessons alone and more than two thirds (68 per cent) of parents whose child attended a school trip reported a positive change when they returned.
Confidence (68 per cent), responsibility for their own behaviour (59 per cent) and practical life skills (41 per cent) are among the top skills children develop during school trips – according to parents.
More than half (58 per cent) also said school trips improved their child’s ability to solve problems with others, while 41 per cent noticed their child became more confident talking to new people after attending a school trip.
Young people identified many of the same benefits. 55 per cent believe school trips build confidence, 51 per cent cited the opportunity to develop teamwork, while 47 per cent say they help to practise independence.
The research indicates that the positive impact of school trips continues long after pupils return to the classroom. More than eight in 10 parents (81 per cent) believe opportunities beyond the classroom can shape further education and career choices.
The research was commissioned by PGL Beyond, a provider of outdoor adventure and educational travel, as part of its annual School Trip Index Report. The report explores how learning opportunities beyond the classroom contribute to life outcomes, personal development, and future readiness, alongside the barriers preventing young people from taking part.
Anthony Jones, CEO of PGL Beyond, said:
“School trips are so much more than memorable experiences. They offer vital enrichment which help young people to build confidence, independence, and resilience; strengthen relationships and wellbeing; and develop the skills that support their future learning, work, and adult lives.”
“For many young people, a single school trip can broaden horizons and help them develop memories and skills that continue to shape them long after they’ve returned to the classroom. But the reality is not everyone has the same opportunities. For too many, these experiences are out of reach.”
According to parents, cost (43 per cent) and anxiety about their child being away from home (42 per cent) are the main barriers preventing young people from taking part in school trips. Young people echoed these concerns. 56 per cent pointed to cost, the same proportion felt anxious about attending, and 54 per cent worried about missing home.
Despite these challenges, the research carried out by OnePoll found 73 per cent of parents would welcome more overnight stays for pupils. And more than a third (36 per cent) specifically want to see more overnight trips arranged due to the role these experiences play in shaping young people’s future ambitions.
Anthony Jones, from PGL Beyond, added:
“No young person should miss out on opportunities to learn, grow, and build confidence because of cost or circumstance. At a time when more young people are becoming disconnected from education, training, and employment, widening access to these opportunities is increasingly important. When more young people can access high-quality enrichment experiences, the benefits are felt far beyond the trip itself.”
THE TOP 10 SKILLS KIDS LEARN ON TRIPS ACCORDING TO KIDS
- Feeling comfortable being away from home
- Working well with other people (like classmates or friends)
- Finding my way around new places
- Being more willing to try new activities
- Looking after my own belongings
- Feeling more confident when things are challenging
- Following instructions in a real-life situation
- Solving problems when something unexpected happens
- Managing my time (like being on time, sticking to plans)
- Speaking up or asking questions in public places
THE TOP 10 SKILLS KIDS LEARN ON TRIPS ACCORDING TO PARENTS
- Confidence in unfamiliar environments
- To be able to function away from home comforts
- Independence and organisation
- Teamwork through shared tasks and challenges
- Self-esteem
- Emotional maturity
- Being responsible in decisions away from routine supervision
- Being able to adapt behaviour to different settings and social expectations
- Improved social awareness by spending time with new people
- Problem-solving with unexpected changes
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For more information, including interview requests, please contact [email protected]
Research was carried by OnePoll among 1,000 parents of children aged 10-17 years old and their children aged 10–17 years old. Research was carried out online between 17th – 22nd April 2026.
About PGL Beyond
PGL Beyond – a Certified B Corporation™ – is a network of brilliant brands with a shared mission: to spark breakthroughs in young people through transformational experiences that go beyond the classroom.
Collectively, PGL Beyond encompasses the leading brands of PGL, NST, Esto, and StudyLink Tours, under one network with over 225 years of experience.
