School trips boost pupils’ wellbeing and engagement, says study

Hyundai Motor UK conducted the research to mark the fourth year of its Great British School Trip programme, which provides funding to help schools across the UK offer educational trips. The study reveals that school trips can deliver an 80% increase in children’s attention compared with a typical school day.

The research, led by behavioural scientist Dr Martha Newson, shows that learning beyond the classroom significantly enhances pupils’ wellbeing and engagement. Compared to a normal school day, children experienced notable increases in:

• Curiosity (+75%)
• Excitement (+71%)
• Memory‑making (+70%)
• Interest (+66%)
• Inspiration (+62%)
• Happiness (+60%)
• Self‑esteem (+40%)

The study assessed children’s wellbeing and engagement in both the classroom and school trip settings. Pupil survey responses were used to create Hyundai’s School Experience Index, a new metric designed to demonstrate the powerful impact that out‑of‑classroom experiences can have on learning.

Dr Martha Newson, behavioural scientist at the University of Greenwich, said: “By comparing how the same children felt and behaved on a regular school day versus a school trip day, we saw significant increases in curiosity and self‑esteem. These factors are closely linked to deeper engagement and more effective learning.”

Despite the clear benefits, access to school trips remains a challenge for some. The study found that two‑fifths of UK children have either missed out on, or narrowly avoided missing out on, school trips due to financial constraints, according to parents.

Teachers identified cost as the biggest barrier, both for schools (82%) and for parents (77%). Meanwhile, 81% of parents believe school trips are vital to their child’s wellbeing.

Introducing the School Experience Index (SE Index)

Based on the nationwide study involving thousands of children, parents and teachers, Hyundai’s School Experience Index identifies the key drivers of a positive school day. The index combines measures of wellbeing and engagement into a single score, allowing schools to compare the impact of classroom learning with experiences such as school trips.

Dr Newson added: “Tracking the same pupils on both classroom and trip days allowed us to see how experiences outside the classroom influence wellbeing, confidence, self‑esteem and focus. The SE Index turns what teachers have long known into measurable evidence, helping educators plan experiences that deliver the greatest positive impact.”

Teachers also agree on what makes a high‑quality school trip. In a survey of more than 100 educators, 93% said trips should offer new experiences, 91% highlighted the importance of learning new facts, and 89% valued opportunities to develop skills beyond the classroom.

“By comparing how the same children felt and behaved on a regular school day versus a school trip day, we saw significant increases in curiosity and self‑esteem.”

Dr Martha Newson, behavioural scientist at the University of Greenwich

Hyundai’s commitment to school trips

Ashley Andrew, president of Hyundai Motor & Genesis UK, commented: “Hyundai’s Great British School Trip programme is all about giving children access to truly memorable learning beyond the classroom, that they may not have had otherwise. And now, with the School Experience Index, we’re able to give teachers rigorous, science-backed data that they can use to plan really impactful school trips.”

Since it was launched in 2022, Hyundai’s Great British School Trip initiative has invested over £3m in bursaries to send over 200,000 children on school trips – reaching almost a third (30%) of schools across the UK.