February 4, 2026

Ciaran Clinton, headteacher at Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School in Birmingham, has led multiple Challenges Abroad expeditions with his students, taking cohorts to Nepal, Cambodia, and Peru. With a Thailand trip in the pipeline and a brand new global citizenship club, here’s his story of why these experiences matter far more than anything four walls can offer.

For many schools and colleges, the desire to offer international experiences exists, but the barriers feel significant, the application process is complex, compliance requirements are demanding and staff time is limited. Yet when schools overcome these barriers, the results speak for themselves…