Peckham schoolchildren have run a ‘mini-marathon’ to fundraise for their end-of-year trip to an adventure camp.
Pupils at St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School have so far raised £1,600 to fund the excursion which has become “prohibitively expensive” for “most families”.
A national charity has warned English primary school kids are regularly missing out on these seminal life events amid a lack of government funding for schools.
Chavvah, a Year 6 School Councillor, said: “It was a fun way to get us all active and raise money for PGL.
“I’m really looking forward to the independence of being away from home for two nights and all the new activities I’ll get to experience.”
Almost the entire student body huffed and puffed its way through laps of the school for forty minutes on Friday, March 1.
Cheered on by staff members, some managed as many as fourteen laps – equivalent to around 5km.
They were sponsored by friends and family and there is still a JustGiving page open to donations.
The end-of-year trip will take them to a PGL centre in Marchant’s Hill, Surrey, where they’ll try archery, rat building and high ropes.
A school spokesperson said: “For some, it is their first trip away from home and is part of the school’s commitment to develop the whole child.
“They learn to develop courage, resilience and perseverance whilst strengthening relationships and having fun. It is an experience they will never forget.”
According to the Sutton Trust, 50 per cent of schools from the most disadvantaged communities were being forced to cut back on trips and outings in 2023.
The charity’s poll also found two in five primary and secondary leaders were using pupil premium – funding given to schools to support poorer pupils’ learning – to plug gaps in their general budgets.
In February, a Rotherhithe pupil completed 150 laps of Southwark Park – equivalent to 375km – so his peers can afford their Year 6 trip.