Access For Learning Fund | Learning | National Memorial Arboretum

The National Memorial Arboretum plays a vital role in educating young people about Remembrance, history, and the significance of honouring those who serve and sacrifice for our country.

The Access for Learning Fund aims to ensure that all school children, regardless of their background, have the access they need to the Arboretum’s enriching, real-world learning experiences.

Welcoming over 25,000 young people for formal and informal learning visits each year, our educational programmes play a crucial role in passing on the baton of Remembrance; building connections with heritage and sharing stories of service and sacrifice.

The Access for Learning Fund has been made possible thanks to a substantial founding donation from Ben Robinson MBE DL, a private supporter of the Arboretum, as well as Honorary Chairman and former owner of Burton Albion Football Club.

Mr Robinson’s generous donation will ensure that the Arboretum is able to remove further financial obstacles and provide targeted aid for schools and youth groups – particularly those in underserved areas. As the fund develops, we will aim to develop our in-school programme for groups who are unable to visit the site itself.

Education Travel Bursaries

Whilst the Arboretum is free to enter, and many of our educational participation opportunities are also free, schools can still face significant barriers in funding transportation for trips.

To ensure schools can access the enriching learning experiences offered by the Arboretum, eligible schools can apply for support from our Education Travel Bursary scheme.

The bursary is designed to help schools overcome financial obstacles to ensure that every child can benefit from our learning programmes. Each eligible school can apply for up to £500 towards travel costs per visit.

Before applying for an Education Travel Bursary, schools are advised to review the eligibility, terms and conditions and application information outlined below.

Please do not complete an application if your school does not fit the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

Available to UK state-funded primary, secondary, or SEND schools/units.
Priority will be given to schools with ≥ 25% Free School Meals (FSM) pupils and/or ≥ 15% Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils.
SEND-only schools are automatically eligible.
All visits must take place during term time and be educational.
Schools can apply for one bursary per school per year, up to a maximum of £500 total.

Your application for a travel bursary will be reviewed, and a decision will be communicated via email, within four weeks. Please allow for this in your application process, as retrospective funding will not be applied.

Bursary Details & Funding Limits

Eligible schools can apply for up to £500 travel subsidy per school per year.
Covers reasonable third party travel costs: coach, minibus or public transport.
Reimbursement is capped at the approved maximum of £500 and requires proof of expenditure (receipts or invoices).

Application Process

Step One:

Review the Education Travel Bursaries eligibility criteria. Please note, only schools that match our eligibility criteria, and whose visit is more than four weeks in advance, will be considered for an Education Travel Bursary.

Step Two:

Complete a learning booking form online to request the date and workshop you require.

You will be asked at the point of booking if you wish to apply for a travel bursary. Applicants must evidence eligibility as requested on the booking form, and accept the terms and conditions outlined to be considered for a bursary.

School Children on a trip at the National Memorial Arboretum

Facilitated Visits Booking Form

Whether you are spending the whole day with us, or simply the afternoon, our range of facilitated workshops and activities give students of all ages the chance to interact with the subject of Remembrance in a variety of ways.

More about this

To celebrate the The UK's first memorial for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender armed-forces personnel, we will be running a day exploring themes around the design and concept of the memorial, the themes behind it and reflections on lived experiences.

Learning Activity Day Booking Form

Our programme of free Activity Days run throughout the year. These full day workshops allow students to explore topical themes alongside the Arboretum grounds and memorials.

More about this

Step 3:

Your visit will be processed and provisionally booked, subject to availability. Your application for a travel bursary will be reviewed, and a decision will be communicated via email, within four weeks.

Step 4:

Upon approval of your bursary, we will require you to submit the following information:

1) Evidence that you meet the criteria.

2) An invoice/receipt for the coach travel from and to school.

3) A headed letter containing bank details and, if possible, a payment reference.

Step 5:

Upon confirmation of your submitted information and payment details. The payment will then be paid into the account requested.

Step 6:

A feedback form will be sent to you following your visit, and must be returned within two weeks of your visit date.

Application Terms and Conditions

1. Visit Arrangements

Visits must include an educational facilitated session at the Arboretum.
Schools have the opportunity to complete a preliminary visit for risk assessment and planning purposes.
Adult-student ratios should follow standard guidelines.
Late arrivals may reduce the session length or cancel parts of the programme.
Timetables will be issued prior to arrival.

2. Monitoring and Evaluation

Schools must complete a short feedback form after the visit.
Some schools may be contacted and invited to contribute to a wider evaluation project.

3. Cancellations

3.1 Eligibility of Reimbursement

Bursaries are awarded on the basis of confirmed attendance.
If a participant cancels their visit, bursary support may be withdrawn.

3.2 Cancellations by the Participant

More than 30 days before the visit – If you notify us in writing at least 30 days in advance, the bursary will be cancelled without penalty.
Between 7–14 days before the visit – We reserve the right to reduce or withdraw the bursary, particularly if non-refundable costs have been incurred.
Less than 7 days before the visit or non-attendance (“no show”) – The bursary will be forfeited. You will be asked to repay the bursary.

3.3 Cancellations by National Memorial Arboretum

In the event that the Arboretum cancel the visit (e.g. for security, operational, or unforeseen reasons), any non-refundable travel costs already incurred under the bursary will still be honoured.
We will aim to reschedule visits where possible.

3.4 Exceptional Circumstances

We recognise that illness, bereavement, or other serious circumstances may prevent attendance. In such cases, please contact us as soon as possible. Decisions on whether to retain or withdraw bursary support will be made on a case-by-case basis.

3.5 Process for Cancelling

All cancellations must be made in writing (email is acceptable).
Confirmation of cancellation will be sent within 3 working days.

3.6 Repayment of Funds

If travel costs were paid in advance and the bursary is forfeited, the participant will be required to repay these funds within 30 days.
Failure to repay may affect eligibility for future bursaries.

4. Liability and Insurance

4.1 Each participant is responsible for his/her/their actions whilst attending or participating in the Visit.

We accept no responsibility for:

(a) the actions of a participant nor the consequences of such actions.
(b) any injury or accident-causing loss or damage to a participant where this is sustained as a result of a participant taking part in the Visit, save where this is a direct result of the actions or negligence of us, our agents or contractors.
(c) any loss or damage sustained by a participant as a result of: making the application, the cancellation of a Visit for any reason; any changes made to the Visit for health and safety, changes to the terms, withdrawal of the bursary or any other circumstances beyond our control.

4.2 Participants shall be responsible for arranging their own suitable and adequate insurance protection to cover their participation in the Visit, including, without limitation, cover for material loss/damage, including any loss or damage they may cause to a third party, medical expenses, death, injury, cancellation and curtailment or negligence of any party.

5. Changes

We reserve the right to withdraw the bursary or alter the terms and conditions at any time. If we make any changes, we shall update and notify all participants affected as soon as reasonably practicable. No refund in full or part shall be made in respect of any change to the participation.

6. Data Protection

Each participant agrees that information provided to the National Memorial Arboretum in connection with the application may be used by the Arboretum in accordance with prevailing data protection legislation and our privacy policy.

7. Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales and the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts applies.

Key Stage Three students on the Armed Forces memorial, looking at the bronze wreath

If you, or your organisation, are looking to make a similar contribution to Mr Robinson's, please do get in touch.

Alternatively, find out more about how you can Support Us through donations and other projects.