At Key Stage 3 (KS3) the History curriculum includes a large span of British and world history, and there are few schools that are more than a couple of hours from a venue that will enhance pupils’ historical study. Local religious centres and town halls will be a good start for the study of ‘church, state and society in Britain’, but we would encourage schools to look at the Houses of Parliament and the Welsh Assembly as candidates for possible visits - both of whom offer tailored services to schools.
Visits to the foreign 1914-18 WWI sites are firm school favourites already, and are likely to be doubly popular in the next four years. Many schools combine the history element with some linguistic extras to develop pupils’ ability to ‘speak coherently and confidently, with increasingly accurate pronunciation and intonation.’
In regards to drama and music, many pupils will have been to plays and musicals before the age of 11, but KS3 theatre visits will encourage interest in the subjects and develop the national requirement for ‘a deepening understanding of the music that they perform and to which they listen, and its history.’
The KS3 curriculum requires schools to develop pupils’ adventurous spirits, using group activities to encourage pupils to ‘take part in outdoor and adventurous activities which present intellectual and physical challenges.’ Many national providers specialise in this area, providing imaginative activities for all kinds of age and ability groups, with a large number tailoring activities for those with special educational needs and disabled pupils.
Oxford’s only Tree Top Adventure, suitable for all monkeys 10 years and older.
High Ropes Oxford gives you and the kids a chance to swing through the trees like Tarzan in this forest adventure.
There are three zones to work through with over 40 obstacles! These include zip slides, wobbly bridges, balance beams and Tarzan swings.
Whether you’re a newcomer looking to try watersports or a seasoned pro looking for a new club, you’ll hopefully find all the information you need here.
This Garden is a national reference collection of 7,000 different types of plant, making it the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the World: there is even more biological diversity here than there is in tropical rain forests!
A supervised playground aimed at children aged 7 to 15 featuring elaborate climbing frames, wooden play structures and more set out as an assault course. You must complete a simple registration to use the playground.
A classic series of collections housed in stunning architecture. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower.
Get set for a phenomenal drive for the over 8s. Speed is the name of the game as you whizz around the floodlit 360 metre circuit. Min age 8yrs.
The circuit is set within a stadium, so the spectator areas are fantastic! With an outrageously quick straight and hair pin bends you are guaranteed the drive of your life. A great venue for some excellent group fun.
The Oxford & District School Sailing Association (ODSSA) offers sail training to individual young people, schools and youth groups within Oxfordshire at Farmoor Reservoir.
Award winning, historically informative and hugely entertaining, it's the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere of this famous city, leaving you with a deliciously scary tingle running down your spine.
Laser Kombat Oxford is a great fun place to take the kids to burn off some of their energy while having a good, safe time.
This is helped by the friendly hardworking staff who are always available throughout your time there.
Great fun for all the family at the newly renovated Ice Rink. General session, family sessions and lessons for children of all abilities. The rink is very easy to reach as it's right in the heart of Oxford; just a short walk from Oxford City centre and railway station.
An ancient site of incarceration (since 1071) offering a highly atmospheric history lesson spanning ten centuries, with hands on displays and real life prisoner stories. Quirky costumed tour guides are available every 20 minutes.
The old buildings have been preserved and are now open to the public revealing a time capsule: allowing the buildings to tell their captivating story.
Supporting a rich diversity of wildlife with over 200 species of birds, 27 species of butterflies and 300 species of moths recorded on site, Foremark is a interesting place to visit. The many footpaths and trails are a great starting point to explore the reservoir and surrounding woodland.
Jungle Parc is located in the lovely Irchester Country Park! It is only 20 minutes from Northampton and 30 minutes from Milton Keynes.
Watersports: Whatever you are looking for and whatever your level of skill, you'll find it at Willen Lake
The Caldecotte Xperience offers a variety of exciting adventure activities and learning experiences for young people and adults, from 8 to 80. Activities include: sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, rowing, climbing, high ropes, caving, archery, fencing, bushcraft and many exciting team building activities.
A 13 foot high bouldering wall allows individuals to hone their skills and develop technique before graduating onto higher crags. The wall's many different grades are designed to suit all abilities from novice to expert.
An educational trip into the sad necessity to rescue animals, with plenty of happy, loved and rehabilitated furry guests to visit with.
HULA Animal Rescue has saved over 31,000 animals since it was founded, and offers an educational trip into the sad necessity to rescue animals, with plenty of happy, loved and rehabilitated furry guests to visit with.
Do something different at this centre for indoor skydiving, surfing, racing, jumping and climbing!
Bodyflight is an excellent place for some active fun, whatever the weather, plus it’s great thrill seeking in a controlled and safe environment.
A premium all weather venue, open 7 days a week with exciting activities suitable for the whole family! Big Rock Climbing Centre offers the best indoor climbing facilities around, including roped climbing walls up to 11m high, multiple low level bouldering areas and a dedicated kids' climbing area.
Over 100 trampolines, a dodgeball court and slam dunk hoops. There is over 22000 square feet of interconnected world class trampolines with state of the art equipment.
Bounce is suitable for kids of 3 and over and for all levels of fitness. There are dedicated sessions for children and mums, plus another for teens.
Brogborough Lake is in the heart of the UK sitting between Milton Keynes and Bedford, bringing watersports to the most land locked locations. When the wind is up, the 220 acres is dedicated to windsurfers, making it one of the largest boat free waters in England.
Donington Park motor racing circuit was the first permanent park circuit in England.
Its first motorcycle race took place on Whit Monday 1931 on the narrow lanes of the Donington Hall Estate. In 1933 the track was widened, made permanent and became a venue for Grand Prix car racing.
The game of badminton is celebrated at the National Badminton Museum. The museum is housed at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes.
Mainly encased in brick but still retaining its 14th-century timber roof, this was in turn part of a hospital, a chantry chapel, a public house, and a Georgian barracks, before its basement became a Second World War gas decontamination chamber. The building is within Gravesham's Heritage Quarter and currently exhibits a fascinating insight into the borough's heritage.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.