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

Quiet nature reserve with a surprising array of habitats

The Chase is a small property of 143 acres of woodland near the village of Woolton Hill, close to the Hampshire/Berkshire border, which supports a wide community of walkers and regular visitors through schools and naturalist groups.

The land was bought by Sir Kenneth Swan in 1930 and the site soon transformed into the nature reserve that stands today.

Villages and countryside criss-crossed with trails

The Buscot and Coleshill Estates are traditional estates on the edge of Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.  They are made up of 7,000 acres, three villages, 850 acres of woodlands and 12 let farms.

We offer free visits to NT education group members, free teacher visits, an education officer to assist with planning, education volunteers and a covered area for picnics and lunches.

Welcome to the award-winning Beatles Story, the world's largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles. Located in the Fab Four’s hometown of Liverpool on the stunning UNESCO World heritage site at the Albert Dock, the Beatles Story takes visitors on an atmospheric journey through the lives, times, culture and music of The Beatles.

A combined tour of 'Mendips' and 20 Forthlin Road, Liverpool

Book your tour online now and enjoy the unique experience of a visit to the childhood homes of John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney.

Atmospheric Irish gentry house and wooded riverside estate

Built in the 1820s, this handsome Irish gentry house is surrounded by its 320-acre wooded riverside estate. The former home of the MacGeough Bond family, a tour of this Neo-classical masterpiece reveals it is unchanged since 1900. The eclectic interior still evoking the family's tastes and interests.

Handsome town house, with architectural features from various eras and riverside walled garden

Handsome town house, with architectural features from various eras and a riverside walled garden.

Fiddleford is a medieval manor house, completed in about 1370.

One of the finest examples of Robert Adam's neoclassical architecture in Ireland

One of the few works in Ireland by the renowned Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam.

The mausoleum was built in 1789 for the Rt. Hon. Arthur Upton and is situated in the grounds of Castle Upton.

An historical estate with a neo-classical mansion, 50 acres of landscaped gardens, 1000 acres of deer park, a rare breed farm and medieval Old Hall

For nearly 400 years the estate was the property of the Egerton family until it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1958. It is now financed and maintained by Cheshire East Council. This is one of the most complete historic estates open to visitors.

Based at the picturesque, rural setting of Talkin Tarn. Located in Brampton, just off the A69 east of Carlisle, Cumbria. We offer a wide range of outdoor adventures for families, groups and individuals of all ages and abilities. So why not come and have a go.

A quiet retreat of woodland and pasture only 30 seconds from Haslemere High Street

The hidden gem of Swan Barn Farm nestles behind Haslemere’s bustling high street. It is the gateway to some of Surrey and Sussex’s finest countryside.

Traditional hay meadows rich in wild flowers

Three enclosed fields of exceptionally species-rich, unimproved, neutral grassland, managed as traditional hay meadows, near Chippenham. Two are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the other is a designated County Wildlife Site.

With its fantastic population of green-winged and southern marsh orchids, Sutton Lane Meadows is one of the best meadow sites in Wiltshire.

Awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial site

This hauntingly beautiful 255 acre estate, with far-reaching views over the river Deben, is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

Walk around the ancient burial mounds and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions.

Tudor house surviving in the heart of a thriving East London community

Built in 1535 by prominent courtier of Henry VIII, Sir Ralph Sadleir, Sutton House retains much of the atmosphere of a Tudor home despite some alterations by later occupants, including a succession of merchants, Huguenot silkweavers, and squatters. Discover oak-panelled rooms, original carved fireplaces and a charming courtyard.

Family friendly ice skating rink with loads of other sporting opportunities besides within the leisure centre. Great fun for all ages and good for bonding while you watch mum and dad fall over.

Cheam Leisure Centre provides the local community with a gym, swimming pool, group exercise programme, health suite, sports hall, squash courts and meeting room.

A comfortable home telling the story of a brewer, a widow and three generations of the Lander family

Tucked away on the edge of Wellington is this rare suburban villa and mini-estate. As you walk up the large avenue of Wellingtonia trees the red-brick villa is unexpectedly revealed offering a chance to immerse yourself in a past era.

Iconic mountains, rich countryside and a sweeping 18th century landscaped park

The Sugarloaf and Usk Valley is a landscape of contrasts.

It’s where the dramatic Black Mountains give way to broader, rich and green open pastures

The iconic peak of the Sugarloaf mountain watches over the market town of Abergavenny, dominating the surrounding landscape and offering glorious views towards mid-Wales in one direction and south-west England in another

Abandon the car - this is Pembrokeshire's walking country

This is the most rugged and remote stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast, from the peak of Garn Fawr near Strumble Head to the cliffs of Pen yr Afr in the north.

Pen Anglas and Dinas Island guard the entrance to Fishguard Harbour, and Castell Farmhouse is a holiday cottage with a view few can equal. Linked throughout by the coast path, it offers splendid coastal walking.

Come and discover two contrasting experiences sitting side by side

Late 17th-century house with lavish interiors and the Museum of Childhood

Vast area of sandy beaches and heathland

A glorious slice of natural coastline in Purbeck featuring a four-mile stretch of golden, sandy beach, with gently shelving bathing waters and views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight.

Ideal for water sports and includes the most popular naturist beach in Britain. The heathland behind the beach is a haven for native wildlife and features all six British reptiles.

At Studland Sea School we offer a wide range of kayaking tours, tuition, BCU courses and hire, kayak fishing, coasteering and BSAC snorkelling catering for all levels of ability. 

A most beautiful landscape of international importance

Strangford Lough is a unique and wonderful place of immense international importance for nature conservation. It is the largest sea lough in the British Isles, covering an area from Angus Rock at its mouth on the Irish Sea, to the vast sand-flats at its northern end 20 miles (33 kilometres) away. It is one of only three designated Marine Nature Reserves in the United Kingdom.

A monumental day out

A normally sedate trip made grand with their free children's activity packs, full of ideas to discover wildlife and nature in the gardens.

Stowe Landscape Gardens offer great children's activity packs, full of ideas to discover wildlife and nature in the gardens and help keep their interest going.

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