More school trips needed for children

The Committee argued that all schools should be providing children with experiences outside the classroom, including drama productions and sports activities.

Committee Chairman, Barry Sheerman, said that research shows the likelihood of a child visiting any “green space” had halved in a generation:

"It is vital for the government to make a commitment to a serious funding increase to ensure that all children have opportunities to visit the wealth of museums and galleries, and the natural environment of the English countryside, which are at our disposal."

Schools minister Diana Johnson said she was disappointed that the Committee had not fully recognised huge progress made, as the vast majority of children took part in educational visits throughout the year.

In the report, the Committee also argued that it was down to health and safety fears that discouraged a lot of teachers from organising excursions. It also suggested that if the teacher responsible for the trip could no longer make it, other staff were unwilling to step in.

Mick Brookes, the General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, firmly believes that such trips are important in enabling children to no longer simply learn a subject, but to get to know it and engage with it.