Posted on Monday 21st Jan 2019
Secondary schools in England will be able to apply for money to take poorer pupils overseas on school exchanges
The £2.5 million government scheme 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."
It is estimated the scheme could support trips for 2,900 pupils.
The exchange programme will be run in partnership with the British Council, the organisation for cultural relations.
The grants will be targeted at schools with above-average numbers of pupil-premium students.
Pupil premium is a form of additional funding given to state schools in England to help "close the gap" between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.
Research by the British Council found that only 39% of state secondary schools run exchange programmes, compared with 77% of independent schools.
"School exchanges are so valuable, bringing subjects such as modern languages and international history to life, as well as helping pupils develop into confident, independent and well-rounded young people," said Mr Hinds.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
18/12/24Worry for staff and children as London council moves ahead with plans to close Kent special school
Staff at a residential special school in Kent, which is run by a London council, have voiced worries about plans to close the facility down. Wandsworth Council is moving forward with plans to shut down Bradstow School in Broadstairs due to escalating financial pressures.
17/12/24Schools given £740m to adapt buildings for Send pupils
The government has announced £740m of funding to increase the number of places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in mainstream schools in England. ??The money, part of the £6.7bn of education spending announced in the Budget, will be targeted towards adapting school buildings to make them more accessible.
10/12/24Starmer wants 75% of children ‘school-ready’ by 2028
Target of three in four reception pupils at a 'good' level of development is one of six key 'milestones'
09/12/24Kent school where pupils feel 'safe and happy' named The Sunday Times 'best in the South East'
A Kent school has been named the best secondary school in the South East by The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025. The highest-achieving primary and secondary schools across the UK have been ranked by the paper, which said its survey is "widely acknowledged as the most authoritative".
06/12/24Ofsted "alarmed" by absences and "flexi-schooling."
The “alarming” level of children missing school has become a “stubborn and damaging issue”, according to the chief inspector of Ofsted, England's schools regulator. Sir Martyn Oliver said he was also worried about a rise in "flexi-schooling", where parents educate their children at home for part of the week. It is not clear how many children are taught in this manner. The Department for Education (DfE) said the government was putting education "back at the forefront of national life". Ofsted's annual report said attendance issues had "deepened" since the pandemic.