Planning a residential trip is a powerful way to enrich young people’s learning, wellbeing, and confidence. At Brathay, we believe these experiences should be accessible to all schools and youth groups - regardless of budget. To support this, we've compiled a guide to current UK funding opportunities that can help make your next residential visit a reality.

Government Funding: PE and Sports and Pupil Premiums

PE and Sports Premium

Did you know you can use your PE and Sports Premium to support your pupils access to a wide range of sport and physical activity, including outdoor residential?

The purpose of this funding, given to all primary schools, is as follows:

The Department for Education (DfE) wants all children to have equal access to high-quality PE provision and opportunities to experience and participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities. Schools should aim to provide high-quality PE and sport for at least 2 hours a week, complemented by a wide range of extracurricular sport and competitive opportunities. By providing this it can help improve children’s health and wellbeing, personal development as well as academic attainment. 

You can find more detailed information about the PE and Sports Premium here: PE and sport premium for primary schools - GOV.UK

Funding amounts payable for 2024 to 2025

For the year 2024 to 2025, the amounts payable will be:

• schools with 16 or fewer eligible pupils will receive £1,000 per pupil
• schools with 17 or more eligible pupils will receive £16,000 and an additional payment of £10 per pupil

Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium funding can be used to support pupils from disadvantaged background access residential opportunities. It is designed to support pupils, no matter their ability, to realise their potential.

The amount a school receives depends on the number of eligible students enrolled, with funding allocated for each qualifying young person.

Residentials fit into the "menu of approaches" approved by the government for the use of this funding, plus you can evidence impact through our Goal Based Outcomes approach.

You can find more detailed information about this and the Pupil Premium here: What is pupil premium funding for schools and how will it benefit my child? – The Education Hub

Also, here is a thorough guide on how to use your Pupil Premium from the Department of Education:  Using pupil premium guidance for school leaders

External Funding Opportunities for UK Schools and Youth Groups

Brathay Bursary

We offer our own financial support through the Brathay Bursary, a discretionary fund that can help cover the cost of a residential at our Lake District centre. The aim is to ensure that financial barriers don't prevent a young person from experiencing the impact of a residential trip.

If you're considering coming to us and would like to explore funding options, just let us know when you enquire. Our friendly Residential team is on hand to talk you through the bursary process and how to apply.

You can learn more about our residential programmes here: School and Youth Group Residentials

Evolve Advice: Get Out! Grant (£500)

This £500 grant supports off-site educational visits for schools in England and Wales. Funds can be used for travel, activity costs, or equipment.

• Who can apply? This fund is open to state, independent, special school and pupil referral units.
• Applications must be made between 28th April and 30th June 2025.
• How to apply? You can learn more and apply here: Evolve Advice: Get Out! Grant Application

Yorkshire Sport Foundation:

– Henry Smith Foundation Holiday Grants Programme

This offers one-off grants for schools, youth groups and non-profit organisations to take young people aged 13 and under on recreational day trips or short residential trips.

• Who can apply? This fund is open to schools, youth groups and non-profit organisations with young people aged 13 and under.
• Applications for trips between:
  • 12 January and 30 April 2026 are open from 9am 1 December 2025 and 19 March 2026.
  • 1 May and 30 September 2026 are open from 20 March and 19 August 2026.
  • 1 October and 31 December 2026 are open from 20 August and 19 November 2026.
    
• How to apply? You can learn more and apply here: Henry Smith Foundation Holiday Grants Programme

– Pawprint Trust Fund

This aims to support young people with life changing adventures and increasing involvement in adventurous activities.

• Who can apply? Young people aged 11-25 (at the time of the project) and must be a resident of the UK.
• How to apply? You can learn more and apply here: Pawprint Trust Fund

Jack Petchey Foundation: Educational Visit Grants (up to £1200)

This London and Essex based grant is for youth organisations taking part in the Achievement Award Scheme. Grants can cover costs for trips to museums, theatres, and other educational venues such as residential centres like Brathay!

• Who can apply? Schools and youth groups/clubs from London and Essex running the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Award Scheme.
• Funding is up to £1200 per trip, maximum of £20 per young person. SEND organisations, Pupil Referral Units and Alternative Education Provisions can apply for up to £60 per young person for day trips and £100 per young person for residential trips.
• How to apply? You can learn more and apply here: Jack Petchey Foundation: Educational Visit Grant

Ernest Cook Trust: Outdoor Essentials Grant

This is a grant award for UK state schools to help remove barriers for pupils to connect to nature and experience the impact of outdoor learning. For residential proframmes this grant can help to cover the transport costs to outdoor learning venues.

• Who can apply? State Secondary Schools and Special Schools in the following postcodes:
  • Cumbria and Lancashire: BB, CA, FY, LA, PR
  • Gloustershire, Wiltshire and Avon: GL, SN, BS, BA20, BA21, BA22
  • Leicestershire: LE
• Funding covers the cost to outdoor learning venues.
• How to apply? You can learn more and apply here: Ernest Cook Trust

Local Community Foundations or Local Education Authority (LEA)

Many Community Foundations or LEAs can and will provide funding for residential trips, particularly for young people who receive Free School Meals.

Contact your local foundation or authority to find out more.

Alpkit Foundation

The Alpkit foundation supports individuals or groups to have great experiences in the outdoors! The outdoor retailer focuses on offering small awards in the region of £50-£500, but has no limit to the number of times a group can apply.

• Who can apply? Anyone or organistion with a project that meeting the funding criteria.
• They offer small funding pots from £50 to £500.
• How to apply? You can learn more and apply here: Alpkit Foundation

Now that you've got the funding sorted, why not explore how a residential at Brathay could make a real impact for your young people?
Our tailored programmes are designed to support young people’s personal development, build stronger teams and relationships, and create transformative outdoor experiences they’ll never forget.