Two thirds of schools bidding for cash to send children on life-changing trips overseas were snubbed, sparking fears poorer youngsters are being sidelined from the Turing Scheme. Union bosses are urging the government to put an end to schools 鈥渞eceiving comparatively lower funding鈥 through the programme than its predecessor, and support them 鈥渋n closing the disadvantage gap鈥. And despite the programme receiving a record number of school applications, leaders revealed they shunned the scheme amid concerns over the burdensome application process and not being able to take all children on the trips. ‘Appetite from schools’ Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Pepe Di鈥橧asio said: 鈥淭here is appetite from schools and sixth forms to engage in the programme, but not the commitment from government to support them. Pepe DiIasio 鈥淎t a time when language entries are under threat, the opportunity to study abroad from an early age should be celebrated and encouraged. This data suggests it isn鈥檛 so.鈥 The flagship post-Brexit scheme, named after scientist Alan Turing, was launched five years ago to replace the EU鈥檚 Erasmus+ programme, with a new focus on social mobility. The then education secretary Gavin Williamson also allowed trips backed by the programme to be made outside the EU. This year, it was scaled back by almost 拢30 million, with the 拢64 million total funding available representing a four-year low. shows just 32 per cent (140) of school applications to the Turing Scheme this year were successful, down from 90 per cent 12 months ago. This compares to 99 per cent (115) for universities and 51 per cent (140) for further education institutions. 聽 ‘Alarming’ drop Schools also sent the fewest youngsters on Turing placements (5,071) and received the least funding through the programme (拢7 million). Despite this, they handed the highest proportion of placements to disadvantaged children (82 per cent). Di鈥橧asio added that 鈥渋n comparison to Erasmus+, the schools sector now appears to be receiving comparatively lower funding鈥. ASCL 鈥渨ould like this to change, and for the government to offer greater support for schools in closing the disadvantage gap鈥. Ian Birbeck, of Projects Abroad, which advises leaders on applications, branded the drop in schools鈥 success rate 鈥渁larming鈥. He warned this could leave leaders lacking 鈥渢he confidence to dedicate resources to the application process鈥. Bosses of the Bellevue Place Education Trust in London decided against re-applying for the funding following a successful bid in 2023-24. CEO Mark Greatrex said it was agreed they 鈥渃ouldn’t go through that all of the time鈥. One of the MAT鈥檚 heads spent his easter break drawing up the bid and other members of staff had to help secure pupil passports. Record applications Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust CEO Paul Rickeard stated his 21-school chain has 鈥渘ever engaged with Turing because of the fear of not being able to involve all children鈥. His 鈥減rimary concern is the unintended consequence of a dual offer鈥. Birbeck said there is also 鈥渁 perceived lack of transparency around why projects are rejected鈥. This, along with a 鈥渓ow overall awareness of the scheme, must be urgently addressed鈥. The DfE stressed it wants to ensure 鈥減roviders have the funding they need to deliver the placements they applied for鈥. This meant that this year 鈥渨e decided to fund successful school and FE applications in full鈥, up to a limit of 拢300,000 for a group of schools. Previously the department stretched the cash 鈥渁cross many providers鈥, which risked 鈥渘ot being able to deliver their intended placements鈥. It also said a 鈥渞ecord number of applications from schools鈥 were received this year. Turing’s future Greatrex noted his 11-school trust originally wanted to send all its 鈥測ear six children on a cultural enrichment trip to Florence鈥. But after only receiving 鈥減art of the funding鈥 applied for, Bellevue鈥檚 plans had to be scaled down to four schools 鈥渢hat serve our most deprived areas鈥 based on free school meals numbers. 鈥淚ronically, the person who wrote the application, his school wasn鈥檛 selected. It was a shame,鈥 Greatrex continued. No funding has been announced to continue the Turing Scheme next year. In May, skills minister Jacqui Smith . The DfE said this would be 鈥渙n much better financial terms for the UK鈥. Details on the 鈥淭uring Scheme for future years will be shared in due course鈥.