Bishop Stopford's School, a nurturing secondary school in Enfield, has been announced as the overall winner of Hyundai's Great British School Trip competition, securing a fully funded overnight residential trip to an outdoor adventure centre for selected pupils.
The school was nominated by a local parent, Leonie Seymour Driver, during a nationwide nomination period that saw more than 3,000 entries from supportive parents and carers across the UK. The prize aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent children from enjoying residential trips, especially significant as almost half of the pupils at Bishop Stopford's are currently eligible for free school meals.
Benefits of Learning Outside the Classroom
The win comes as research highlights that learning outside the classroom greatly boosts children's wellbeing. Andrew Jennings, a teacher at Bishop Stopford's School, said: “The school is a thriving community where students enjoy a wide variety of opportunities that we have available to offer. Learning outside the classroom is something every child wants to engage in, but there can sometimes be serious barriers that prevent us from being able to provide every child with these experiences. Winning this residential trip removes a significant barrier for our community and gives the selected pupils the chance to experience the trip of a lifetime. We believe that learning beyond the classroom enriches the whole school experience and inspires students to achieve.”
Parent's Motivation for Nominating
Leonie Seymour Driver, the parent who nominated the school, said: “I nominated Bishop Stopford’s School because I wanted as many children as possible to have the chance to experience something truly special. I know how much they will benefit from this incredible opportunity, and for many pupils, it may be an experience they would not otherwise have. School trips like this create memories that last a lifetime, while helping children grow in confidence, independence, teamwork and friendship. They also give pupils the chance to learn beyond the classroom in a completely different environment. I’m absolutely thrilled that the school has won, and I can’t wait to hear about the children’s trip.”
National Initiative Impact
The national initiative, Hyundai’s Great British School Trip, was created to help more children access the benefits of learning away from the classroom. Since its inception, the programme has already supported more than 210,000 children across the country. The competition winners were selected from thousands of entries, highlighting the widespread desire for such experiences.
