A pilot scheme designed to support the travel costs for educational trips to the Cairngorms National Park has been extended because of its success.
The Learning Travel Grant Scheme, which was launched in October 2013 and by March this year had already made 21 grant offers, will continue in to 2014/15.
The project, which is open to schools across Scotland as well as voluntary and community educational groups from in or close to the boundary of the park, enables applicants to apply for up to 75% of their travel costs up to a maximum of £200 from a funding pot of £4,500.
Among the schools to benefit from the scheme are Thurso High School in Caithness, Cauldeen and Merkinch Primary schools in Inverness and Glenurquhart primary in Drumnadrochit.
Students study a range of topics at the Cairngorms including land use, glaciation, conservation, wildlife habitats and social history as well as developing skills in co-operation and team work.
Mary McCafferty, CNPA board member, said: “The Cairngorms National Park is an excellent outdoor classroom and can be studied across the curriculum from history and geography to art and music.
“However one of the main barriers that teachers and groups face is the high cost of travel to or around the national park.
“We are delighted to be able to help groups overcome that barrier by offering financial support and we hope that students enjoy and are inspired by their visit to this very special place.”
Elspeth Grant, the CNPA’s education & inclusion officer, said: “A variety of educational resources have already been produced to support outdoor learning but the travel grant scheme will mean that students can actually get to where they need to be.
“Of the schools and groups involved in the pilot scheme, half said that their trip would not have been possible without this financial support so it’s great to be able to continue the scheme.”
For more information visit the CNPA website at
http://cairngorms.co.uk/learn/learning-resources/outdoor-learning-travel-grant/
.