Funding allows free school visits to attraction

Historic Dockyard Chatham became a visitor attraction after the royal shipyard closed in 1984

Up to 900 school pupils will benefit from free educational trips to a visitor attraction in Kent.

A grant of more than £16,000 from the charity Kent Reliance Community Foundation (KRCF) will secure the school visits to Historic Dockyard Chatham.

The programme is "designed to remove financial barriers" for children and young people in the Medway towns "from underprivileged backgrounds", the charity said.

It will enable students to participate in the attraction's learning programme, which focuses on key science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) concepts.

Stephen Billington, head of lifelong learning at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, said: "We recognise that schools often face financial challenges that restrict access to valuable hands-on learning opportunities.

"Through the Dockyard Discoverers programme, we aim to remove those barriers, providing an enriching, Stem-led educational experience that complements and enhances classroom learning."

Jonathan Couch, head of grants at KRCF, said: "We believe that investing in these areas is crucial for building a brighter future for individuals and communities alike.

"By removing the financial barriers for these schools, we're helping to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to experience meaningful and inspiring learning outside of the classroom."