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

The ruins at Weoley Castle are over 700 years old and are the remains of the moated medieval manor house that once stood here. The site has been inhabited from the 12th century and, according to the Domesday Book, was part of the estates of William Fitz Ansculf. Weoley changed hands several times between 1485 and 1531 when it began to fall into disrepair.

Our Aim is to educate and to provide memorable and challenging experiences, to all age groups, no matter what their level of ability and fitness.

Trains run on regular dates throughout the year offering visitors a chance to board and admire the trains.

Baggeridge Country Park is a beautiful area of countryside on the doorstep of the Black Country. Being set back from the roads, its secluded delights are revealed to you as you explore further. The creation of today's scenery however, is very diverse.

Family friendly tenpin bowling, with bumpers and ball ramps for the kids.

Discover a World of Wonders Underneath the Black Country town of Dudley.

An opportunity to travel the complete length of Dudley Tunnel and also visit Dudley's famous Limestone Mines. 

An opportunity to travel the complete length of Dudley Tunnel and also visit Dudley's famous Limestone Mines, at the Dudley Canal Trust.

At RKE, we specialise in delivering the Expedition section of the Award, but our staff will be happy to advise on all other Sections, since our years of involvement with DofE are long and our experience extensive.

Fun pool with flume, bubble beds and more features; heated outdoor pool and kiddie gym.

Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre has an excellent range of facilities including: 25 Metre, 8 Lane Competition Swimming Pool; Leisure Waters (Flume, Spa, Bubble Beds and Lazy River) and 20 Metre Heated Outdoor Pool.

A play area for younger kids as well as a 'teen' play area, new tennis courts, a multi-use games area and a bowls green. There is also a skatepark facility, but the park still remains a green and tranquil place close to the town centre.

In the Roald Dahl children's gallery you can boggle your eyes and baffle your brain and let your imagination run wild!

Buckinghamshire County Museum is an award winning County Museum in the attractive old town area of Aylesbury in beautifully restored buildings, some dating from the 15th century.

Join in with on this totally kid friendly working family farm.

Oak Farm Animal Park is a traditional organic working farm, home to a variety of animals, many of which are rescued for a second chance in life.

Karting is a great fun experience, whether it's adults verses children (please note, there is a 1.3 metre height restriction to drive a kart), men verses women or just to see who can complete a lap in the fastest time! From 8 years and up.

Children are happy exploring in the undergrowth, hiding in trees and riding bikes, there is an adventurous children's play area set in the middle of the forest suitable for children up to 12 years old, with swings, slides, climbing frames and a challenging ropes trail.

Pool open all year round but varies in temperature depending on winter or summer season. Swimming lessons available.

Newly resurfaced courts with the option of floodlights. The multi court is marked out for tennis, netball, football and basketball

A branch of the main Natural History Museum in London.

Discover the fascinating animals collected by Lionel Walter Rothschild, in our beautiful Victorian Museum. It is home to the world-class research and collections of the Natural History Museum's Bird Group.

Education

Splendid 18th-century English interiors in an idyllic country setting

In the 1750s at his family seat in Buckinghamshire, Ralph Verney set out to create a country house of extraordinary grandeur that would dazzle his wealthy neighbours and outdo his political rivals. Thirty years on he was facing financial ruin.

Today the interiors that remain are among the most ambitious and lavish ever created in the 18th century.

25 metre swimming pool plus leisure pool with flume and interactive play features.

15th-century chapel, restored by Gilbert Scott in 1875

Tucked away in a cosy corner of the market square, discover the oldest building in Buckingham. It’s had many uses and today it’s a thriving second-hand bookshop and coffee shop. While away the time in this atmospheric and tranquil setting with a good book and a delicious locally made snack.

A quarter of a mile of dimly lit passages and exciting caverns which can be explored endlessly. Originally excavated by hand and now with realistic waxworks and sound effects, this unique and historic place comes to life. Cool on a hot day, dry when it's raining.

Through our school expeditions programme, Challengers develop leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills while travelling abroad. By really engaging with another culture and a remote environment as a team they change the way they think about the world and their place in it.

Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!

A popular Lido located in the centre The Rye. The 2 heated outdoor pools and changing facilities have just been refurbished. The Lido has also been expanded to include gym, exercise studios, soft play and a cafe.

Facilities overview

Indoor soft play area suitable for ages 0 to 8 years that includes a large ball pool, two slides and a three level exciting play frame plus toddler area with features.

Includes a large ball pool, 2 slides and an exciting 3 level play frame with all the classic fun softplay stuff kids love, from tunnels and bridges to nooks and crannies! Great for physical and social play.

Jainism is an Indian religion followed by several millions of people in India and by a sizeable number of migrant Jains in Europe, East Africa and North America. The name Jain is derived from a word in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit Jina meaning 'victor' over the passions and the self.

Pages

Login/Sign Up

Latest News

Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip

A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.