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.
See a show at one of the West Midlands' most famous venues! Visit our website for full details.
Tours
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to go backstage at the Alex? Why not book one of our backstage theatre tours? Each tour will give you a unique insight into one of the most historic theatres in the West Midlands
Climbing can offer a stimulating alternative to conventional school sports as well as helping to fulfil National Curriculum requirements.
Climbing is a refreshing change to your conventional, mainstream school sports. The adrenaline rush piques the children's interest and with the benefits of raising self esteem, building confidence and developing both team work and social skills it's the perfect activity for groups of young people to get involved in.
8+ only. Karting race events, training and parties. Race up to 40mph in their 200cc biz karts. Their track is 400m long with 100m main straight.
The Raymond Priestley Centre is beautifully located on the western shore of Coniston Water. Operated by the University of Birmingham it provides bespoke residential courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
A friendly start point for your cool new hobby: indoor climbing facility featuring dedicated and supportive kids' clubs, bouldering, lessons and taster sessions, abseiling, lead rope, slabs and overhangs.
Creation Indoor Climbing Centre boasts a variety of excellently equipped options and loads of ways to enjoy them, applying to all levels and ages!
Selly Manor is a museum steeped in history, in one of Birmingham's oldest buildings. Dating back to the 1300s, in 1907, busy establishing his vision of a Bournville village, local chocolate maker and philanthropist, George Cadbury, saved it from demolition and employed architect William Alexander Harvey to oversee its relocation, to Bournville Green.
Karting experience for kids with new lower age limit, welcoming member drivers from 8 years! A fantastic memorable achievement for kids, and maybe the start of lifelong interest
Under the guidance of one of their experienced instructors, novices learn the basics of motor sport safety and race-craft, and quickly build confidence in the control and handling of a race kart.
Soho House was the elegant home of industrialist and enterpreneur Matthew Boulton from 1766 to 1809. Carefully restored, this fashionable Georgian house features period room interiors with fine collections of ormolu, silver, furniture and paintings.
Welcome to Adventure Island Mini Golf, England's first Indoor Adventure Golf Complex featuring 2 brand new themed 18 hole courses! They are located indoors on their own lush tropical adventure island at Star City, Birmingham.
Bruise-less battle fun for the whole family, tracking down mean old aliens! Explore the arena with the kids, packing infra red combat equipment for a zero contact showdown! For over 6s.
Bartley Outdoor Pursuits Centre is a brand new initiative by Bartley Sailing Club with a mission to provide high quality outdoor activities to Schools, Youth Groups, Further Education and adults. Bartley Sailing Club is situated on Bartley Reservoir on the south-western outskirts of Birmingham.
A unique little museum with over 5,000 objects relating to the Birmingham Steel pen trade and the history of writing. Very interactive, you can make your own pen and try your hand at calligraphy.
Restored to its former Edwardian glory, downstairs there are exhibition rooms explaining the fascinating history of the house's former occupants. An interactive train set, toy box and rooms full of antique artefacts. Outside, 7 acres of Botanic Garden to be explored and enjoyed.
When the proprietors of the Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing firm decided to retire in 1981 they ceased trading and locked the door, unaware they would be leaving a time capsule for future generations. Tools were left strewn on benches; grubby overalls were hung on the coat hooks; and dirty teacups were abandoned alongside jars of marmite and jam on the shelf.
The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is the busiest and seventh-largest exhibition centre in Europe. It is near junction 6 of the M42 motorway and is adjacent to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International railway station It has 20 interconnected halls, set in grounds of 611 acres (2.54 km2) making it the largest exhibition centre in the UK.
The biggest movie screen in the Midlands: as high as a five storey building and as wide as four buses. The great range of fantastic IMAX 2D and 3D films will put you right in the heart of the action.
Fifteen acres of safe, secure, clean landscaped gardens with lawns and four glasshouses for children to explore. Indoor and outdoor activities for children and all the family. Picnic areas, outdoor theatre and music during the summer months.
A bowling centre located in Watson Road. We have 22 modern fully computerised lanes, American Pool tables, Amusement Arcades all catered towards families and kids. There is also the Beach Road Cafe for some delicious meal and snack options and a fully licensed bar with Sky Sports for the adults.
Impressive indoor 1000m Karting track for kids of 8 years and older. Full equipment provided and safety briefing before you start. Family events available. Great for adrenaline junkies and speed demons. Pedal to the metal!
The track is one of the longest and fastest in the midlands and offers an exhilarating ride with some great places to overtake fellow karters.
Quasar is a fun and safe game where each player wears a luminous vest and carries a laser pistol while roaming around in a multi-level maze. The object of each game is simply to laser tag as many people as you can in the set time. Kids go crazy for it! Tenpin bowling also on site.
For 8+: a fleet of karts are specially designed to allow youngsters to race at their own pace. They can limit the power for younger drivers as they learn how to drive, and teach all the skills needed to win on the track. They also do parties!
Boasting sensationally speedy but child friendly indoor go-karts, Teamworks is perfect for drivers experienced or brand new alike.
Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
A staggering array of activities under one (enormous!) roof, from bowling and laser tag to mini golf and dodgems, to the cinema, football and indoor climbing!
Star City Birmingham is home to an amazing assortment of great family activities all under one roof! Including:
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.