“At LAAT, we believe education should do more than prepare children for exams. It should prepare them for life. It should spark curiosity, build confidence, broaden horizons, and inspire children to believe that the world is full of opportunity,” says LAAT CEO, Jackie Waters-Dewhurst.
We know that educational visits abroad can have a profound impact on young people. They deepen learning through real-world experiences, develop independence and resilience, and help children gain a greater understanding of different cultures, languages, and communities. Yet for many families, the cost of these opportunities can feel completely out of reach.
That is why, as a Trust, we began exploring how we could make these experiences accessible to more of our pupils.
To ensure these opportunities reach pupils who may not otherwise have them, places have been prioritised for children who are eligible for Pupil Premium support, those with Special Educational Needs, and children who have never travelled abroad before. By removing financial and practical barriers, we can ensure that access to life-changing experiences is determined by potential and opportunity rather than circumstance.
Thanks to support from the Government’s Turing Scheme, a programme that funds study, work, and volunteering opportunities abroad, we have been able to provide our children with life-changing international experiences. Working with Global Learning Association we secured Turing Scheme funding that has enabled us not only to cover the cost of the trips themselves but also to remove practical barriers that may otherwise prevent participation, including supporting passport applications, visas and travel insurance.
A spokesperson from Global Learning Association said: “We are proud to support schools, trusts and other educational organisations in making international and global learning accessible to all. To allow students and teachers to explore and experience the wider world.
We pride ourselves on embedding global dimensions and cultural capital into the whole school curriculum and ethos”.
In May, pupils from The Wainfleet Magdalen Church of England/Methodist Primary School, William Lovell Church of England Academy and Friskney All Saints Church of England Primary School set off for five days in Francavilla, Italy.
For some of these children, this is their very first trip abroad. For many, it is the first time they have spent any significant time away from home and their families. That alone is a huge milestone. But beyond the flights, passports, and excitement lies something even more important: the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, experience a different education system, explore history firsthand, and enjoy the simple joy of sharing food, laughter, and new experiences together. I suspect pizza and gelato may feature quite heavily in the highlights!
And the adventure does not stop here. In June, pupils from Spalding Parish Church of England Day School will embark on their own international experience with a visit to Spain, continuing our commitment to providing transformational opportunities that enrich education far beyond the classroom.
This is what going Above and Beyond means to us.
At LAAT, our vision is built around Excellence, Exploration, and Encouragement, all powered by Equity. We want every child, regardless of background or circumstance, to have access to opportunities that enrich their education and help them discover their potential. Experiences like these help children develop confidence, independence, adaptability, teamwork, and curiosity – qualities that cannot always be taught within four classroom walls.
Of course, opportunities like this do not happen by accident. Behind every trip are countless hours of planning, safeguarding, risk assessments, logistics, meetings, headcounts, forms, and contingency plans. The LAAT central team and school leaders may gain a few extra grey hairs along the way as we try to anticipate every eventuality, but it has been worth it to see the excitement in our pupils’ faces and the confidence that grows in them as the journey unfolds.
Already, these children have shown remarkable resilience, maturity, and support for one another. From navigating airports to embracing unfamiliar surroundings, they are learning lessons that will stay with them for years to come. They are building friendships, developing independence, and creating memories that many will carry for a lifetime.
These experiences matter because they help children realise that the world is bigger than they may have imagined, and that they have a place within it.
We are incredibly proud of all the pupils and staff involved and grateful for the opportunities the Turing Scheme continues to provide for our schools and communities.
