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.
Herefordshire is often described as England's most rural county, with a rich mosaic landscape of small fields, ancient hedgerows and wooded hills.
From the Black Mountains in the west to the Malvern Hills in the east and the majestic sweep of the Wye Valley, the county embodies the finer characteristics of a rapidly vanishing traditional landscape.
Ice skating sessions to suit all ages and standards, from Disco Nights with the Big Party Atmosphere, to quieter sessions for families, parent and toddlers.
Ice Skating is a cool experience, whatever your age or ability. So why not give it a go with Ice Quest: the only real ice rink in 3 Counties Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire?
At Malvern Outdoor Elements we provide a quality, safe and enjoyable experience for all our users. Our sessions are run by qualified and friendly staff and are designed to not only get the most out of the group but the individuals too.
Offering far more than an ordinary cinema, our day time up market coffee shop and gallery turns into a wine bar in the evening alongside the Circle and Auditorium Bar.
Enjoy a great day out in a relaxed countryside setting where you’ll discover an extensive garden centre, farm shop, courtyard shops, restaurants and miniature railway - all within a five minute drive from Evesham town centre.
Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
Progressive climbing 'cub course' starts at age 8: the courses focus on safety competence, equipment, basic indoor climbing skills, centre etiquette and above all having fun!
Schools using Wolf Mountain
It is now common practice for schools to actively encourage experiential learning to promote healthy lifestyles and positive attitudes.
A modern, interactive museum that offers a fun packed football experience for all the family. Take a penalty against a legendary keeper, or have a go in goal yourself. You don’t have to be a Wolves fan to enjoy it!
In rural, open countryside just north of Wolverhampton lies Laches Wood. One of our biggest centres with a variety of new dormitories, family rooms and single rooms with en-suite facilities for visiting staff.
Adventure playground, sensory garden and fitness equipment are dotted about this picturesque freebie.
Among a host of new features and improvements carried out are the creation of a new main entrance, an adventure play area for 10 to 16 year olds, a sensory garden, new fitness equipment, pathways being built, enhanced signage and additional seating and bins installed.
360 hectares of parkland to enjoy, with plenty to do, from a gentle stroll to wakeboarding! Rare habitats to discover and plenty of wildlife to spot. Also great for cycling and the site of the Chasewater Railway. Free to visit.
Indoor Go-Kart Track - has the best value karting thrills in the Midlands for adults and kids aged 4 yrs and over. Standard karting events are available for 8yrs upwards. Brand new Cub go karts for 4-7 year olds.
Competition style pool, 5 metre and 3 metre diving boards, 1 metre spring board, brine pool and children's gym.
The specially sized and designed Fitzone Gym sessions are aimed at children between the ages of 8 to 16 years old.
Wakelake was the first cable tow centre to open in the West Midlands, and is mainly dedicated to the exciting activity known as wakeboarding!
This is the sport of riding on a short, wide board (similar to a surfboard), and performing manoeuvres while being towed, in this case, by a cable tow.
Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbeidge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Originally Fairbridge West Midlands, we've been supporting young people since 2000. In 2011 we became part of The Prince's Trust.
Walsall outdoor pursuits is an Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) registered centre together with Royal Yachting Association (RYA) - Registered Training Centre (RTC) with RYA sailability foundation status.
The Chase Sailing Club enjoys 90 hectares of clean water set in the beautiful surroundings of Chasewater Country Park. The clubhouse that consists of secure changing rooms with showers. A large wet room with tables and chairs where food and drinks can be purchased at weekends.
Walsall outdoor pursuits is an Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) registered centre together with Royal Yachting Association (RYA) - Registered Training Centre (RTC) with RYA sailability foundation status.
A fascinating working museum set in a restored leather factory, where you can watch live demonstrations of traditional leather craft and maybe have a go yourself!
Walsall Leather Museum will help you and the kids to discover why Walsall was known as the capital of leather goods in Britain.
It is free to visit, and is run by a team of friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.
Standard Gauge Heritage Railway set in Chasewater country park, 4 mile round trip with steam and diesel engines and vintage carriages. Accredited Museum, Model Railway, also a narrow gauge miner's-style line, tea room and Sunday Carvery, gift shops. We are a Volunteer run charity.
Birches Valley Forest Centre is an excellent starting point for an exhilarating day out on Cannock Chase. From the midlands best bike trails and woodland walks to adventure play and Go Ape we’ve got a great day out just waiting for you…
Silver Blades with its friendly atmosphere and popular location, is fun for all the family.
Silver Blades currently has a selection of skating sessions for you to choose from.
They have Public and Disco Sessions, Birthday Parties, Ice Hockey Basics courses, as well as practice time for figure skaters and Ice Hockey teams of all ages.
Our Longest Tree Top Adventure & Epic Forest Segways in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Awarded Silver in the Best Tourism Experience in Staffordshire 2013.
Our Tree Top Junior will remain open during the weekends in December and January - don’t forget a pair of gloves!
Off road pony trekking and horse riding through the beautiful Cannock Chase forest. No riding experience needed, as there are a range of horses and treks to suit everyone. Available for kids aged 4 and older.
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.