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Schools across Buckinghamshire are once again being invited to apply for their pupils to enjoy a free day trip to Waddesdon in 2023.
Launched in 2021 by the Rothschild Foundation, the Schools Access Fund aims to encourage new school audiences to experience Waddesdon and to take advantage of the Learning Department’s workshops and projects which offer interactive, hands on learning across a huge range of subjects and covering all key stages.
State schools from throughout Buckinghamshire can apply for a grant of up to £1000 to cover some or all of the cost of a visit to Waddesdon and can bring any number of pupils. The aim is to support well-being, enhance creative learning and enrich how schools teach the arts curriculum.
In its first year, over £20,000 was granted to 35 Buckinghamshire schools for a visit to Waddesdon – meaning 1568 local schoolchildren were able to enjoy a free or subsidised day out. Schools visited Waddesdon from over 20 miles away, from as far as Buckingham in the north and Marlow in the south. Here is what some of them had to say afterwards…
• “The whole experience was amazing from start to finish. We booked a fairy tale’s workshop. The workshops were run by knowledgeable staff who made the whole experience fun for the children.”
• “The activity was pitched at exactly the right level for the children’s age and gave us plenty of time to explore the grounds before having a picnic lunch and going home. It was a lovely day had by all.”
• “The trip happened as part of the students Enrichment Week and many students said it was their favourite part of the week. The opportunity offered to see inside the Manor contributed to their cultural development and then the chance to be outside and in the extensive grounds allowed them to be children and experience being part of the natural world.”
• “It was a fabulous experience and as a school we are so very grateful for this opportunity for our children.”
Alongside workshops and visits, the Schools Access Fund can also be used to subsidise the special projects offered by the Learning team throughout the year, for example the popular Living History Week in June.
Sarah Dewberry, Head of Learning says “The Rothschild Foundation and Waddesdon launched the Schools Access Fund to support well-being and enhance creative learning across the curriculum. After the coronavirus pandemic, which significantly disrupted education, and the rising cost-of living crisis, the Fund encourages new audiences to Waddesdon. We are delighted to have helped so many schools so far and we would encourage all schools to apply and take advantage of the wide range of workshops offered by our Learning team, from fairy tales to orienteering!”
Applications are done on a rolling basis and are open now for 2023. To find out more and to apply, visit: https://rothschildfoundation.org.uk/buckinghamshire-grants/schools-access-fund/