Government to fund 2,900 school exchanges for poorer pupils
Secondary schools in England will be able to apply for money from a £2.5 million Government Scheme to take poorer pupils overseas on school exchanges, it was reported this week.
The initiative will enable pupils aged 11 and over “to experience other cultures and go to places they wouldn’t normally visit”.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “As Britain leaves the EU, it’s more important than ever to show how much we value international opportunities.”
The exchange programme will be run in partnership with the British Council, the organisation for cultural relations and it is estimated the scheme could support trips for 2,900 pupils.
The grants will be targeted at schools with above-average numbers of pupil-premium students. Research by the British Council found that only 39% of state secondary schools run exchange programmes, compared with 77% of independent schools.
You can read more on this story on the BBC.