Support for state-funded schools who might otherwise be unable to afford to travel to museums in Bath is to benefit from a £2,500 donation from The Orseis Trust.
No 1 Royal Crescent | Photo © Bath Preservation Trust
The Orseis Trust has donated some of its remaining reserves to Bath Preservation Trust’s school transportation fund, now named the Orseis Transportation Fund.
The Orseis Trust was set up twenty years ago to provide small grants for Bath charities.
The principal object of the charity has been to assist approximately 200 local charities and organisations in and around the city of Bath, especially those involved with young people and sport.
The Bath Preservation Trust owns and operates four museums in Bath, including No. 1 Royal Crescent, the Museum of Bath Architecture the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, and Beckford’s Tower.
Its Learning and Engagement team, headed up by Ellie Giles, strives to make the museum’s learning experiences more accessible to schools and communities, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, through two main routes: offering funding for transport costs and providing outreach sessions as an affordable alternative to museum visits.
The Herschel Museum of Astronomy and No.1 Royal Crescent also offer Loan Boxes, collections of items to enhance learning, which can be borrowed by schools for just £25 per fortnight.
Ellie Giles, Learning and Engagement Officer for Bath Preservation Trust said: “From our conversations with learning providers, we are aware that the cost of living crisis has had a real impact on schools which were already facing financial pressure.
“It has become a priority for us to remove the barrier of transport costs that often tips the balance in the decision for teachers to run educational school trips.
“Our school workshops aim to open a door for students to get excited about Bath’s rich heritage and this travel subsidy ensures it is accessible for many more local school children in Bath.”
Claire Dixon, Director of Museums and Deputy Chief Executive, added: “We know from academic research that museum visits have a profound impact not only on knowledge and understanding but also creativity, shared values and attitudes and improved behaviour, and that the cost of transport costs is a primary obstacle to visiting.
“Our ability to remove the barrier of transport costs enables schools to cover the costs of museum visits without requiring parental subsidies.
“As we also develop new workshops and expand our programme, more children will continue to benefit from this very important and highly valued fund.
“We are thrilled to have been one of a few selected charities lucky enough to secure some of the remaining funds from the Orseis Trust.”
