Key Stage 3 (12-14)

Key Stage 3 (12-14)

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.

Suitable Venues

A Revolution in Road Safety

You can't get a driving licence in the UK until you're 17 but now, thanks to Young Driver, if you're 11 or over, you can learn to drive at one of our UK centres.

Country home of the Victorian statesman Benjamin Disraeli

Hughenden offers a vivid insight into the charismatic personality and colourful private life of the most unlikely Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who lived here from 1848 to 1881. You can browse among an extraordinary collection of personal memorabilia, and there's even a Victorian playroom for younger visitors.

W&WCECOA has evolved over many years since the 1960s when we were a group who offered the opportunity to complete expeditions to any independent group who  required assistance. We have evolved as the Award has evolved and in 1987 we became an Operating Authority.

We are one of a very few Operating Authorities in the UK that are completely run and organised by Volunteer Staff.

Our activities take place in the fresh air in spectacular locations. It's all about giving young people fantastic real-world experiences - no fake climbing walls in sight!

Area of classic Yorkshire Dales countryside

Along the Upper Wharfe Valley the characteristic dry-stone walls and barns of the Dales, important flower-rich hay meadows, beautiful riverside and valleyside woodland combine to create a wonderful place to relax and explore the great outdoors.

Uppark: a tranquil and intimate 18th-century house

Perched on its vantage point high on the South Downs ridge, Uppark commands views as far south as the English Channel. Outside, the intimate gardens are being gradually restored to their original 18th-century design, with plenty of space in the adjacent meadow to play and relax with a picnic. The nearby woodland is great for exploring and den-building.  

Reserve in the care of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust

Part of the ancient forest of Charnwood, Ulverscroft is especially beautiful during the spring bluebell season. Includes heathland and woodland habitats.

Please note: access to Ulverscroft is by permit only from the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

Spectacular Victorian Gothic Revival house with gardens and parkland

Spectacular Victorian Gothic Revival house with gardens and parkland. A fine Victorian country house created by one of England's richest commoners, William Gibbs, who built his fortune on fertiliser.

Traditional stone-built upland 16th-century farmhouse

Explore centuries of Welsh living in this traditional stone-built upland farmhouse.

Set in the heart of the beautiful Conwy Valley, Ty Mawr was the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, the first translator of the Bible into Welsh.

Walks lead from the house through woodland and traditionally managed landscape.

Late 15th-century town house

Step into the world of a successful merchant and his family in 1500, when this fine three-storey house had just been built.

Discover the merchant's shop and working kitchen on the ground floor. The first-floor hall is newly transformed for this year with colourful wall hangings and replica Tudor furniture.

Education

Elizabethan manor house with fine interiors and delightful garden

An intimate Elizabethan manor and a Cornish gem, Trerice remains little changed by the advances in building fashions over the centuries, thanks to long periods under absentee owners.

Today the renowned stillness and tranquillity of Trerice is much prized by visitors.

Tranquil varied garden in fabulous position, with a superb collection of tender and exotic plants

Explore Trengwainton’s 25 acres and discover special plants nurtured for generations by those with a passion for their beauty and extraordinary story.

Spring comes early here with champion magnolias flowering from February onwards.  Peer skywards to see their huge waxy blooms outlined against the sky, or look down to spot snowdrops lining the winding wooded paths.

Elegant town house dating from medieval times

Only a few metres from York Minster, this was the first house ever given to the National Trust complete with a collection - and it is not all that it first seems.

It has a history spanning 2,000 years, from the Roman road in the cellar to the Edwardian servants' quarters in the attics, and thirteen period rooms in between.

Small medieval house

Medieval house with Great Hall, completed 1293 - with kitchen added in the 15th century. Solar Block contains an unusual wall-painting.

Symonds Yat is famous for its natural river scenery.

Join the river wending its way through Symonds Yat gorge and village, dividing it into East and West for a 40 minute boat trip with informed history and nature commentary.

 

Our outdoor activities and extreme sports include canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, gorge walking, abseiling, raft building and more 

We are the top provider of both adventure experiences and skills courses in the area.

Planetree Adventure is a planet conscious adventure company. We believe that exploring the planet helps you explore yourself. This can be done locally & globally, individually or in a group, in many different ways for an hour, a day a week a month or more...

Enjoy a great morning out walking exploring Somerset Wildlife Trust's reserves close to Mendip’s iconic Cheddar Gorge. These wildlife havens are also great places to see how the landscape has been shaped by the areas industrial history.

Dramatic red sandstone escarpment, with impressive views

Walk the dramatic red sandstone escarpment of Alderley Edge, with views over the Cheshire Plain to the Peak District. Explore woodland paths or walk to neighbouring Hare Hill Garden.

Discover the highest point on the Edge which was originally a Bronze Age burial mound. It was later used as a fire beacon site which would have been lit as a signal to warn of the imminent invasion.

Medieval thatched Wealden hall-house and picturesque garden

This rare 14th-century Wealden hall-house was the first building to be acquired by the National Trust, in 1896.

The thatched, timber-framed house is in an idyllic setting, with views across the River Cuckmere, and surrounded by a delightful, tranquil cottage garden full of wildlife.

The loveliest spot that man hath ever found

Not our words but those of William Wordsworth - we are rather inclined to agree with him.

Gorge of the River Allen with ornamental and ancient woodland

Take a walk on the wild side at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in Northumberland.

This extensive area of gorge and river scenery, including the 41-hectare (101-acre) Stawardpeel Site of Special Scientific Interest, has miles of waymarked walks through ornamental and ancient woods.

Our qualified and experienced staff offer opportunities to take part in both water and land based activities.  This is your chance to try kayaking, canoeing, sailing, raft building, gorge walking, bell boating, climbing, abseiling, walking, archery, mountain biking, grass sledging, canal trips, orienteering, residentials and camping

We have a whole range of adventurous things to do including Canoeing, Gorge Walking, Bushcraft, Mountain Walking, Kayaking and much more. Have no fear! Our instructors appreciate that not everyone craves adrenaline and have the experience to work with the Newbie novice to the dedicated thrill seeker!

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