Key Stage 2 (8-11)

Key Stage 2 (8-11)

At Key Stage 2 pupils will begin to adopt a more sophisticated approach to the core and foundation subjects.

In History, the requirement to study topics such as the Anglo-Saxon and Scots invasions and the Viking and Roman occupations creates many opportunities for school trips to some of the most important historical sites in the world, and a great variety of brilliant museums. There will always be a venue close by!

History trips can also be used in KS2 to develop pupils' 'use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge', one of the aims of the KS2 Geography curriculum. Such activities could also be linked to the national curriculum requirement to 'take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team'.

But there are many other options for accessing imaginative and challenging activities from specialist providers. Some schools also like to organise short residential visits at for pupils at KS2 level to give classes a taster of new activities and team-working away from usual environments and families. 

Suitable Venues

In a picturesque setting beside the crossing of the River Eamont in Cumbria, Brougham Castle was founded in the early 13th century. This great keep largely survives, amid many later buildings - including the unusual double gatehouse and impressive 'Tower of League'.

Commanding a vital ford over the River Tweed, Norham was one of the strongest of the border castles, and the most often attacked by the Scots. Besieged at least 13 times - once for nearly a year by Robert Bruce - it was called 'the most dangerous and adventurous place in the country'.

Penrith Castle was begun at the end of the 14th century by Ralph Neville, who played a key role in defending this area against the Scots. It was later transformed into a luxurious residence by Richard, Duke of Gloucester (subsequently Richard III). Surviving to their full height, the castle walls stand in a public park.

History

St John’s Cathedral, Oban, is the Mother Church of the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Argyll and The Isles. Although only partly built, the Cathedral has a dignity and a presence that is quite remarkable. We welcome visitors – so please come in and look around if you are passing, or join us for a service.

It’s a fantastic forested site overlooking the River Tay, at the heart of Perthshire’s ‘Big Tree Country’. As well as all the usual exciting PGL multi activities, this is our only centre with the Sequoia Scramble (a vertical challenge suspended between 2 Sequoia trees) and the catwalk, which tests your balance high above the ground!

Active Spirit, based near Aviemore in the centre of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, provides a friendly and relaxed opportunity for you to explore a wide range of Outdoor Activities in spectacular surroundings.

A fortified farmhouse with thick stone walls, of a type distinctive to the troubled 16th century Anglo-Scottish borders. The living quarters were only accessible at first floor level.

Set in splendid walking country, on the Reivers Route cycle trail. 

The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person.

A very warm welcome awaits you at Glencoe Outdoor Centre, set amongst the spectacular loch and mountain scenery of Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Surrounded by fabulous terrain for adventure activities, with most available “on the doorstep”, we offer a broad range of outdoor pursuits, on both land and water.

Set in the charming village of Etal by a ford over the River Till, this Northumberland castle is the ideal location for a school trip.

Built by Robert Manners as a defence against Scots raiders in the mid 14th century, it fell to James IV's invading Scots army in 1513, immediately before their catastrophic defeat at nearby Flodden. 

The Cathedral of The Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Scottish town of Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Herbridian Pursuits established in 1989 is based in Oban on the north coast of Scotland. They offer a wide range of sea and mountain adventure.

Venturing Out is a mobile adventurous activities provider offering high quality, affordable outdoor activity experiences to a broad client base. We are based in East Lothian, close to the magnificent city of Edinburgh.

Rockhopper offers half, full or multi-day sea kayak trips through some of the most spectacular coastal, mountain and island scenery in Scotland!

Compass has been offering warm hospitality for over 40 years to schools, families and groups of all ages. We are confident that your stay with us will be an unforgettable one. Set in the Cairngorm National Park in the midst of rolling hills, clear lochs and rugged mountains,

The ruins of an Augustinian priory founded by the Bruce family, afterwards Kings of Scotland. They are dominated by the dramatic skeleton of the 14th century church's east end.

Our Highest Zip Wire Over a Magnificent Reservoir near Edinburgh.

Carol and Richard run 'carolclimb' from Buckbarrow, Wasdale, Cumbria. From a 18thC farmhouse in the beautiful Wasdale Valley in the Western Lake District. We run Skills Courses and Adventures throughout the Lake District, Northern England and Scotland for all ages and abilities.

Founded in 1786 this restored cotton mill - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site - was powered by the river Clyde and is situated close to the Falls of Clyde.

We offer tailor made programmes for groups from across central and southern Scotland either at our James Hamilton Heritage Park watersports centre or via our peripatetic service at the Outdoor Resource Base.

EBO specialise in outdoor pursuits, extreme sports, military adventure training, team building and outdoor instructor training courses. Outdoor activities are available in Cornwall, Devon, Wales, and Scotland.

James Hamilton Heritage Park is a 4 Star Visit Scotland accredited activity centre. The park features a 16 acre loch which provides beautiful and tranquil surroundings for our exciting range of water sports, from canoeing to windsurfing. The distance around the loch perimeter path is 1.2 kilometres (3/4 of a mile).

Caring for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties

Wilderness experiences has been registered with Ofsted as a provider of education for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) since 2001 as a mobile children's Home, based in Carlisle, Cumbria on the edge of the Lake District National Park and just south of the border with Scotland.

We are situated in the seaside town of Portrush located in the beautiful and scenic north coast of Ireland and is easy to get to whatever your means of transport. Portrush is 60 miles north of Belfast, 50 miles east of Londonderry, and 160 miles north of Dublin. If you are travelling from Scotland there are numerous ferries to Larne and Belfast.

Wild things! is a Scottish environmental education charity working in Moray, Grampian and the Highlands. Since 2003, Wild things! has enabled over 7,000 children, young people and adults to learn from and be inspired by their local natural environment and the remote wilderness regions of Scotland.

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