How Turing Scheme trips are expanding horizons for Trinity students

A first flight. A first journey abroad. A first conversation in a foreign language.

Through the Turing Scheme school trips, we are continuing to remove financial barriers and give pupils across our primary and secondary academies the chance to experience new countries, cultures, and ways of life.

Toulouse and Carcassonne: language in action

Students from Trinity Academy Cathedral and Trinity Academy Halifax travelled to southern France for a four-day immersive visit.

Rather than relying on tour buses, pupils navigated Toulouse using local trams, buses, and the underground. They explored historic sights, visited the aerospace museum to stand beside a Concorde, took a boat trip down the Canal du Midi, and practised their French over meals along the riverbanks. The trip ended within the medieval walls of Carcassonne, where pupils explored cobbled streets and fine art before putting their learning to the test in a final tour quiz.

Throughout the visit, students relished the chance to speak French in real-life settings, building confidence that cannot be replicated in a classroom.

Cantabria: primary pupils step out of their comfort zone

International learning isn’t reserved for older students. Year 5 pupils from three of our primary schools came together for a joint adventure in Cantabria, Spain.

Combining culture, language, and climate studies, the pupils explored Santander, took in the views from the Fuente Dé Cable Car, and sat in on lessons alongside Spanish pupils in a local school. For many of these young children, navigating a new country together laid the foundations for lifelong independence and ambition.

The Real Impact of Learning Abroad

Overseas visits aren’t just memorable breaks; they actively build the traits and skills young people need to set them up for success in the future:

• Ambition: Seeing the world beyond their local area helps young people imagine stronger possibilities for their own futures.
• Independence: Navigating new cities, managing personal items, and trying unfamiliar foods builds everyday self-reliance.
• Practical language skills: Speaking a foreign language in shops and restaurants turns classroom theory into real-life experiences.
• Strengthened connections: Shared experiences away from home improve bonds between peers and build trust with teachers that transfers back to the classroom.

Opportunity for every child

Enrichment shouldn’t depend on family income. By pooling Trust resources and utilising national funding through the Turning Scheme, we ensure these opportunities reach children who might otherwise never get the chance to travel abroad.

We’re proud of the resilience and curiosity our students showed in France and Spain. This is just one step in our ongoing commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.

Visit our Beyond the Classroom page to discover how we make meaningful enrichment accessible to all our young people.