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.
Part of Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site, this is the only Cornish beam engine anywhere in the world that is still in steam on its original mine site.
The famous Levant engine is housed in a small engine house perched on the edge of the cliffs.
This outstanding area of limestone pavements, upland hill farms and flower-rich hay meadows provides a marvellous setting for walking, cycling or just enjoying the great outdoors.
The National Nature Reserve is home to a unique community of rare plants and animals - the bird hide in particular is worth a visit.
Learning
Stunning woodcarving and elaborate panelling made this wealthy merchant's house a medieval des res built to impress.
Built around 1500 for Thomas Paycocke, the house is a grand example of the wealth generated in East Anglia by the cloth trade in the 16th century.
Drayton Manor is a fun-filled theme park near Tamworth with rides like Apocalypse, Maelstrom and Pandemonium, animals and of course Thomas Land, home of Thomas the Tank Engine. There's even a 4D cinema and a Dino Trail.
School Visits
This museum, housed in Burrells original paint shop, tells the story of the Charles Burrell Works – a Thetford business that once employed 350 people and supplied beautiful and reliable steam-powered engines throughout the world.
Denny Abbey has a unique and fascinating history.
Founded in 1159 as a Benedictine monastery, it then became a retirement home for elderly Knights Templars. After the Templars’ suppression for alleged heresy in 1308, it became a convent of Franciscan nuns before becoming a farm from 1539 and the dissolution of the monasteries, until the 1960s.
Discover to the Key to England on a fantastic educational trip visit Dover Castle!
New: Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk.
Explore the Secret Wartime Tunnels deep beneath the castle to see, hear and feel - as never before!
The last working water-powered forge in the country nestles in the middle of Sticklepath village on the edge of Dartmoor, near Okehampton. During lively demonstrations see and hear the large water wheel and tilt hammers in action. Demonstrations of the machinery every hour.
All aboard! See how engines work; what buses are made of; go aboard some; see old tickets and uniforms once used. View the workshop and on special days ride on a vintage bus. Morris Museum: see a 1970s police car; 1920s Bullnose Morris and a Mini in the original style.
Theme park and CBeebies Land with great kids attractions; white-knuckle roller coaster rides including the Smiler, Air and Oblivion; special events and much, much more.
You can stay at our Alton Towers Resort hotel too.
Education
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Berlin - it's like you've just jumped into the biggest box of LEGO®bricks ever!
Quainton Windmill is a great place for kids to learn about the history of windmills and this one in particular.
It was originally restored in the 1970s but is currently undergoing further restoration at the moment, (which means the sails have been removed)but it is still an interesting place to visit.
These unique gold mines are set amid wooded hillsides overlooking the beautiful Cothi Valley.
2,000 years ago, the powerful Romans left behind a glimpse of gold-mining methods. The harsh mining environment continued in the 19th and 20th centuries, ending in 1938.
Guided tours take you back to experience the conditions of the Roman, Victorian and 1930s underground workings.
Created at the site of Staffordshire's Apedale Mine, offering an underground mine experience, with informative museum, café and gift shop.
We are located in North Staffordshire’s Apedale Community Country Park in an area that was once an industrial powerhouse.
St Pancras railway station is a central London railway terminus and Grade I listed building. It is one of the biggest landmarks in London and serves as a gateway to Europe. It is used by 45 million passengers annually and is home to the Eurostar.
The spectacular entrance is the largest to any cave in Britain. See rope making, the remains of an underground village and find out why it is called "The Devil's Arse"! Guided tours suitable for all ages.
Unusual rock formations, the eerie sound of running water and echoes of a bygone age await you.
A beautiful medieval site with public access for walks and picnics. We run family-focused events through the year, whether it's history, wildlife and environment or archaeology, there's something for everyone to learn and have fun too!
Cwmmau Farmhouse is a timbered farmhouse boasting many original features, including stone-tiled roofs and vernacular barns.
Come and explore this quintissentially rustic English farmhouse on one of the eight days throughout the year when it is open, or stay for a long weekend when the farmhouse is open as a holiday cottage.
Combe Martin has a rich history combining unique social customs with silver mining, lime burning, strawberry growing as well as the maritime aspects.
A fantastic Seaside Laboratory is open for all to use with the facility to explore the beach and go rock-pooling. Beach safaris led by museum volunteers are held regularly when weather and tides permit
Extensive collections of buses, and battery electric vehicles. Cafe/Shop/Picnic area. Kids Kabin activities. On event days (bank holidays etc) there are classic bus rides and a miniature steam railway.
London Waterloo station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground station complex in the London Borough of Lambeth. The current building was opened in 1922, but there has been a railway station on this site since 1848.
King's Cross railway station is a major London railway terminus which takes its name from the King's Cross area of London, which itself was named after a monument to King George IV that was demolished in 1845.
Donnington Castle stands overlooking the Lambourn Valley in an important strategic position commanding the crossing of major north–south and east–west routes.
The striking twin-towered 14th-century gatehouse of this castle, later the focus of a Civil War siege and battle, survives amid impressive earthworks.
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.