Key Stage 4 (15-16)

Key Stage 4 (15-16)

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.

Suitable Venues

Chiltern Pools is a leisure centre in Amersham.

Our diving pool has one, three and five metre boards. Leisure pool has flumes, fountains and a water creek! Also has sporting opportunities such as the climbing wall.

The imposing stone walls, with added towers for catapults, of a Roman 3rd century 'Saxon Shore' fort.

Panoramic views over Breydon Water, which the fourth wall collapsed into a long time ago. 

The exact date of the building of Enniskillen Castle is not recorded.

Hugh 'the Hospitable' Maguire died in 1428 after returning to Ireland from pilgrimage in Spain. The Castle must have been built before then, sometime during the 1420s. 

The earliest known reference to Enniskillen Castle occurs in the Annals of Ulster in 1439.

The riverside ruins, principally the solar tower, of a manor house progressively fortified against the Scots during the 14th century.

The Andrew Jackson Cottage highlights Carrickfergus' strong American and Ulster-Scots connections as well as telling the story of Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the USA, whose parents emigrated to America from Carrickfergus in 1765. Located less than a mile from the town centre off the Larne Road, this single storey building has been restored to its original state.

Prudhoe Castle has many a story to tell so a family day out to this Northumberland fortress is truly worthwhile.

The impressive ruins of a 14th-century castle with a massive keep, inner and outer baileys, and towered curtain walls still standing.

It was built by the Abbot of Furness on the south-eastern point of Piel Island, to guard the deep-water harbour of Barrow-in-Furness against pirates and Scots raiders. 

In a picturesque setting beside the crossing of the River Eamont in Cumbria, Brougham Castle was founded in the early 13th century. This great keep largely survives, amid many later buildings - including the unusual double gatehouse and impressive 'Tower of League'.

Commanding a vital ford over the River Tweed, Norham was one of the strongest of the border castles, and the most often attacked by the Scots. Besieged at least 13 times - once for nearly a year by Robert Bruce - it was called 'the most dangerous and adventurous place in the country'.

Penrith Castle was begun at the end of the 14th century by Ralph Neville, who played a key role in defending this area against the Scots. It was later transformed into a luxurious residence by Richard, Duke of Gloucester (subsequently Richard III). Surviving to their full height, the castle walls stand in a public park.

History

St John’s Cathedral, Oban, is the Mother Church of the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Argyll and The Isles. Although only partly built, the Cathedral has a dignity and a presence that is quite remarkable. We welcome visitors – so please come in and look around if you are passing, or join us for a service.

It’s a fantastic forested site overlooking the River Tay, at the heart of Perthshire’s ‘Big Tree Country’. As well as all the usual exciting PGL multi activities, this is our only centre with the Sequoia Scramble (a vertical challenge suspended between 2 Sequoia trees) and the catwalk, which tests your balance high above the ground!

Active Spirit, based near Aviemore in the centre of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, provides a friendly and relaxed opportunity for you to explore a wide range of Outdoor Activities in spectacular surroundings.

A fortified farmhouse with thick stone walls, of a type distinctive to the troubled 16th century Anglo-Scottish borders. The living quarters were only accessible at first floor level.

Set in splendid walking country, on the Reivers Route cycle trail. 

The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person.

A very warm welcome awaits you at Glencoe Outdoor Centre, set amongst the spectacular loch and mountain scenery of Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Surrounded by fabulous terrain for adventure activities, with most available “on the doorstep”, we offer a broad range of outdoor pursuits, on both land and water.

Set in the charming village of Etal by a ford over the River Till, this Northumberland castle is the ideal location for a school trip.

Built by Robert Manners as a defence against Scots raiders in the mid 14th century, it fell to James IV's invading Scots army in 1513, immediately before their catastrophic defeat at nearby Flodden. 

Stevenson Adventures SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) works alongside organisations and groups who are already involved with disadvantaged young people (14-22 years old).

The Cathedral of The Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Scottish town of Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae.

The sportscotland National Centre Cumbrae is surrounded by safe water with easy access to the open sea. The centre’s island position offers exceptional facilities for watersports enthusiasts of all levels and offers an impressive range of modern equipment, a team of highly qualified instructors, excellent shorebased accommodation and catering facilities.

Herbridian Pursuits established in 1989 is based in Oban on the north coast of Scotland. They offer a wide range of sea and mountain adventure.

Venturing Out is a mobile adventurous activities provider offering high quality, affordable outdoor activity experiences to a broad client base. We are based in East Lothian, close to the magnificent city of Edinburgh.

Rockhopper offers half, full or multi-day sea kayak trips through some of the most spectacular coastal, mountain and island scenery in Scotland!

We are Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre located in the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Learn, develop or qualify in an adventure sport of your choice. Our goal is to inspire adventure by teaching beginners, coaching intermediate/advanced and delivering training and assessment courses for leaders and instructors.

We have been providing exhilarating outdoor activities, residential activity holidays and activity courses for nearly 30 years. We have an exciting range of outdoor activities: Kayaking, Coasteering, Sailing, Gorge Walking, Canadian Canoeing, Climbing, Abseiling and more.  

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