Five Headteachers explain how going travelling can help older pupils gain independence over the summer break

Mark Beard

USC Hampstead, London
Independent travel is a popular option for many of our Sixth Formers; be it a mid-summer journey before heading off to university or a full-blown gap year. And if students are well informed and are aware of potential risks, they will travel with confidence.
UCS awards a number of travel scholarships to those who combine academic challenges with a sense of adventure. Formal itineraries, costed transport and accommodation, alongside a set of researched, scheduled and focussed activities means that ?time-out? evolves into a worthwhile experience and not merely a jaunt into the unknown.
Liz Laybourn

Burgess Hill Girls School, West Sussex
If you are a confident individual and reasonably well travelled, going on holiday as a group of 16-year-olds can be a great adventure. It doesn?t have to be abroad, nor does it have to be expensive, but it is an opportunity to experience living with friends and trying new things together.
Your parents may be anxious, but if you involve them in the planning, are good at budgeting, choose a sensible location, and show a high level of common sense, there is no reason why you should not be able to go. Just remember to stay safe and act your age. Often, youngsters on holiday are expected to be silly, so prove them wrong!

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