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.
The gatehouse, chapel and other remains of a communal residence for priests serving the parish church, founded by locally-born Archbishop Chichele before 1425. Regularly used to display works of art.
Chichele College was founded by Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1414 to 1443 and the founder of All Souls’ College, Oxford. He was born in Higham Ferrers in about 1362.
Waterside House, Oxford Island houses a local history reference library which has a collection of books, journals, maps and photographs relating to the local area. The library also holds a collection of books from the Ulster Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and a collection relating to Methodist history in Ireland.
The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is situated in the Oxford Island Nature Reserve on the southern shores of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK. With over 200,000 visitors every year, the Discovery Centre is an ideal place to promote the principles of sustainability.
Take in breathtaking views of the Chilterns. NEW Crossings for 2014.
NEW ‘Extreme’ route now open at Go Ape Wendover Woods. A first for Go Ape, a scrambling net and climbing wall just to reach our most adventurous crossings. Will you take on the challenge?
The park offers the people a green retreat, somewhere to relax and enjoy being outdoors. The recently refurbished play area is very popular and the park comes alive at the weekend to support the thriving Leys football clubs.
The park is open all year round, offering space to:
The Pitt Rivers Museum is famous for it's period atmosphere and outstanding collections from many world cultures, past and present.
Primary schools
The Titus Trust runs four holiday groups – Iwerne & Forres Holidays, for those at the larger boarding schools and associated prep schools in the South of England; Lymington Rushmore Holidays, for those at a mixture of day and boarding schools in the South; Gloddaeth Holidays, for those at independent day and boarding schools in the North: and LDN Holid
The park is open all day every day.
Bury Knowle is one of Oxford's most beautiful parks and the historic Bury Knowle House and its parkland setting provides a picturesque back-drop for picnics and events.
Introduces children of all ages to the Gallery for free through a range of fun and creative activities. Dedicated Family Guides encourages a creative pathway around the exhibition and suggests activities to try out at home plus loads more family days out activities.
Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre is located in the heart of Blackbird Leys. The centre offers; a gym, indoor cycling studio, large sports hall, 2 exercise studios, cafe, creche and much more.
NOW OPEN - New soft play area.
Work has also started on a brand new swim complex which is due to open late 2014.
Barton Leisure Centre is a treasured local leisure facility with great facilities. Refurbished and extended in 2011, the centre includes a large gym plus a four lane swimming pool and offers a wide range of group exercise classes including indoor cycling. Parking is free.
Roofed conduit for Oxford's first water mains, constructed during the early 17th century. North Hinksey Conduit House is located on a hillside with views over the busy Oxford ring road to the spires of the city below.
We work in partnership with Oxford City Council to manage your local leisure facilities.
We are located in Cowley, about 2.5 miles south east of Oxford City centre. We are a large, multi-purpose centre with facilities including a 25 metre competition standard pool, gym, health suite and learning pool.
We are a large multi-purpose centre, located in Summertown, to the north of Oxford city centre. We have a wide range of facilities including a 2 heated indoor pools, sports hall, new large gym, group exercise studio, squash courts and the Terrace Cafe.
South Park occupies 50 acres of open space, with magnificent views overlooking Oxford.
What can I do there?
In August 2014 the Headington Shark came 24th in a list of the most creative sculptures and statues from around the world
The Sheldonian Theatre, an exquisite Grade I listed building situated in Oxford’s city centre, is the official ceremonial hall of the University of Oxford. Some of the ceremonial activities that take place in the Theatre include matriculation, graduation ceremonies,Encaenia and Congregation. The Theatre is open to the public to visit when not in use.
Oxford’s only Tree Top Adventure, suitable for all monkeys 10 years and older.
High Ropes Oxford gives you and the kids a chance to swing through the trees like Tarzan in this forest adventure.
There are three zones to work through with over 40 obstacles! These include zip slides, wobbly bridges, balance beams and Tarzan swings.
Whether you’re a newcomer looking to try watersports or a seasoned pro looking for a new club, you’ll hopefully find all the information you need here.
This Garden is a national reference collection of 7,000 different types of plant, making it the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the World: there is even more biological diversity here than there is in tropical rain forests!
A supervised playground aimed at children aged 7 to 15 featuring elaborate climbing frames, wooden play structures and more set out as an assault course. You must complete a simple registration to use the playground.
A classic series of collections housed in stunning architecture. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower.
Get set for a phenomenal drive for the over 8s. Speed is the name of the game as you whizz around the floodlit 360 metre circuit. Min age 8yrs.
The circuit is set within a stadium, so the spectator areas are fantastic! With an outrageously quick straight and hair pin bends you are guaranteed the drive of your life. A great venue for some excellent group fun.
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.