A SURVEY commissioned by Bohunt Education Trust (BET) has shown that the vast majority of people believe children today go on fewer school expeditions and trips than when they were at school.

The cost was highlighted as the main reason for the decline in the survey, which was conducted by polling company Censuswide.

BET runs a number of schools in Hampshire, including Bohunt School in Liphook and The Petersfield School, as well as Bohunt Sixth Form in Liphook.

The poll found only ten per cent of people believe that children today have more outdoor education opportunities than they had in their school years, with 71 per cent blaming cost as the biggest factor stopping children from experiencing expeditions and trips.

Some 72 per cent of those surveyed called for a greater focus on outdoor education in both primary and secondary schools, while 78 per cent of people said outdoor education was important for children’s self-development, and 68 per cent said it improved academic achievement.

BET champions an extensive outdoor education and outdoor learning programme for all its students, providing opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

BET director of education Phil Avery said: “We are incredibly proud of the hard work our students and staff are doing to promote, proactively champion and research meaningful outdoor education for all, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“At Bohunt we really invest in these opportunities, providing bursaries for our poorer students so that they can still go on the trips and expeditions, because they provide so much benefit for young people.

“They help their self-development, communication and resilience, and instil a sense of adventure and challenge which prepares students for success in life.

“Additionally, external studies and our own data show there is a strong link between academic attainment and outdoor education.

“It is a real shame that outdoor education opportunities have decreased for many young people but we are proud to be one of the leading providers of outdoor education in the country, and given the positive impact of such opportunities on children and young people, we are keen to work with other schools, academy trusts and education providers to ensure that more students have access to outdoor learning.”