At KS4, there has been a gradually burgeoning number of types of educational visits – foreign language school exchanges, cultural visits all over Europe and further afield, sports competitions, youth conferences, winter sports and adventurous activities in more extreme environments. The Duke of Edinburgh Award becomes available at 14 years old and continues to be offered for those up to 24 years of age, and pupils of many ages start work on specialist awards in areas such as mountaineering, sailing and river sports. This increase in venue variety has led to a proliferation of specialist companies catering for these activities.
The aims of history trips tend to be more focused in KS4, with study trips to the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation and the 1944 Normandy Landings often proving popular along with the 1815 Waterloo battlefield. Venues of this type are often catered for by specialist travel companies to ensure participants get the best experience available.
A lot of schools have a tradition of school trips with their choirs, orchestras and musical/theatre students. There are specialist companies that can help any school wishing to explore this possibility, and many venues have tailored activities for groups that can help improve performers’ confidence and motivation.
British schools have been the forerunners in Europe for undertaking challenging outdoor activities both at home and abroad (you can visit here for good list of activities and gateway sites) but there is a notable increase of interest at KS4 in science-based trips – most notably the Science and National History museums in London, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Macclesfield, Techniquest in Cardiff, and the Bristol Science Centre, all of which have reported an increase in visitors in recent years.
There's lots of variety to explore on the Mottistone Estate which stretches from the chalk downs through rolling hedge lined farmland to the sea.
There is a car park and bus stop next to Mottistone Manor Garden which is a good place to start your visit. It's a great place to walk with many well marked paths to choose from and good expanses of open downland to wander freely over.
This traditional Highland crofting estate is a diverse mix of Scotland?s most beautiful landscapes. It encompasses croft and farm land, woodland, moorland, villages, coastline, saltmarsh, lochs and offshore islands, and offers stunning views across the water to the mountains of Skye and Applecross.
Enjoy the splash of the waterwheel and the sound and smell of grinding corn in this picturesque 19th-century working mill. There is an exhibition on the historical role of the mill and a delightful walkway alongside the mill lade. Schools are welcome by prior appointment. Please allow a minimum of 1 hour for a guided tour which will include a milling demonstration.
Framed amid typically spectacular Highland scenery at the head of Loch Shiel with sweeping glens as a backdrop, stands this poignant monument to the final Jacobite Rising.
A Visitor Centre tells the full story of the '45. Come along, take in the view and prepared to be stirred by this tumultuous chapter in Scotland's history which could well have been a global turning point.
Set in beautifully landscaped parkland overlooking the River Forth, this 17th-century laird's house near Linlithgow has been the home of the Dalyell family for 400 years.
The present house was built in 1612 by Thomas Dalyell, an Edinburgh merchant who had made his fortune at the court of King James VI and I in London.
School groups are welcome and need to book in advance.
For the best day out this year, it has to be Blackpool Pleasure Beach! Home to the mega-coaster that is the Big One, the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land and the Wallace & Gromit ride, Thrill-O-Matic, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is full of world firsts.
Only recently acquired by the National Trust, little is known about the history of this mysterious Iron Age fort.
Situated above the beautiful village of Musbury this impressive fortification offers stunning views of the rural beauty of the Axe valley and out towards one of our houses, Shute Barton.
Visit the home of the famous literary Brontë sisters - Emily, Charlotte and Anne. The parsonage in which they grew up and wrote countless works in the 19th Century is beautifully preserved.
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses one of Europe's great civic art collections. Since its 2003–06 refurbishment, the museum has been the most popular free-to-enter visitor attraction in Scotland, and the most visited museum in the United Kingdom outside London.
Situated in the south west of Britain, Exmoor National Park contains an amazing variety of landscapes within its 267 square miles (692 square kilometers). A unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, shaped by people and nature over thousands of years. Where high cliffs plunge into the Bristol Channel, and cosy pubs and tearooms offer delicious local produce.
The historic Steeple in Falkirk's High Street is a performing arts venue and acts as the central box office for all our events, performances and screenings.
You can book tickets for FTH, The Hippodrome or workshops and events at Callendar House, either in person or by telephone.
Has a wave machine and water slide, a 'beach' area and various water features and a whirlpool, as well as the usual leisure pool
Alongside with the brand new attraction after a multi-millions make-over earlier, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is pleased to present "School Tour", a fun and an interactive Behind The Scene Tour, to all student groups.
The topics you certainly would not want to miss out on:
Leisure waters with parasol, air geyser, lagoon burst and bubble area; 2 water slides; lazy river and wave machine.
M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park is a firm favourite day out for Schools, Colleges and Youth Groups.
A great fun day out, where there is something for everyone. With five roller coasters, water rides, family rides and traditional rides you’re spoiled for choice.
Dickens World - The Grand Tour is a 90 minute interactive guided tour experience that takes visitors back in time to the Victorian England that Charles Dickens knew and wrote about in his novels and short stories.
Wander through the elegant home of Susanna Shakespeare and her husband, Dr John Hall. Enjoy the luxurious rooms and beautiful decoration of this fascinating house, befitting a wealthy physician of Dr John Hall's status.
Relax in the beautiful gardens and breathe in the fragrant herbs as used by Dr Hall in his remedies.
Highlights at Hall's Croft
This museum is located on the site of the Scottish Archery Centre in North Berwick. The museum is named in honour of the Borders longbow archer Dick Galloway.
Free form leisure pool with a sloping beach and water kept at a tropical 30 degrees. There are a flume, two spa pools, a river run, water jets and wave machine.
The water is kept at a tropical 30 degrees. There is a flume, two spa pools, a river run, water jets and a wave machine.
The water flumes and wave machine are a big hit with kids of all ages and the leisure pool provides fun and frolics as well as swimming lessons.
Features a main pool and a teaching pool with leisure facilities including a beach, flume and wave machine!
Heated outdoor swimming pool with a beach area at one end and an integrated fountain, with a dedicated wet-play area besides the main pool.
Situated at the heart of the idyllic Lido Park, the historic Droitwich Spa Lido is a fantastic summer’s day out!
It's a remodelled 44 yard by 22 yard heated swimming pool with a 'beach' area at one end and an integrated fountain.
Leading arts and entertainment organisation Komedia opened its second venue in Bath in November 2008 at the old Beau Nash Cinema, in the heart of the city.
A great place for walking, flying kites or simply taking in the extensive views of the surrounding countryside and the English Channel in the distance.
Education at Birdworld is about so much more than just birds! Underwater World and the Jenny Wren Farm are also a great way of ensuring that learning about classification and animal diversity is fun and engaging for everyone.
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.