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.
We offer a selection of Onsite education packages.
Q. How long are the sessions?
We offer 1/2 hr education sessions with hands-on encounters with various animals.
Q. Who are they aimed at?
The sessions are designed for pre-school, key stage 1 & 2 children.
Secret Valley Wildlife Park is the only Wildlife Park in the South East of Ireland. Ann O’Connor and her husband, John set up the original farm a few years ago and it has since grown from strength to strength. The passion that Ann and her staff have for the animals and environment is clearly evident from the moment the visitor is welcomed into the grounds.
Once Britain’s Best Kept Secret, today Bletchley Park is a heritage site and vibrant tourist attraction. Open daily, visitors can explore some of the iconic WW2 Codebreaking Huts and Blocks and marvel at the astonishing achievements of the Codebreakers whose work is said to have helped shorten the war by two years.
Seaview Wildlife really stands out from the crowd! Tucked away on the N.E. coast of the Island, situated on the outskirts of the pretty yachting village of Seaview, you will discover this hidden gem, the Isle of Wight's leader in hands-on wildlife experiences.
Home to one of Europe's largest collections of global marine life and the jewel in the crown of the 28 Sea Life attractions in the UK and Europe. Situated in the heart of London, the experience takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey along the Great Oceanic Conveyor.
You'll have an amazing day out at our fantastic SEA LIFE adventure both above and below the ocean.
SEA LIFE Adventure Park with over 1,000 incredible creatures from sharks and sea turtles to giant spider crabs and Octopus!
53m panoramic tower giving you unrivalled views of the coastline.
The Scottish Deer Centre is set in the Fife countryside and covers over 55 acres. Our collection includes 14 species of Deer from around the world, Fife's only Wolf pack, Otters and other rare Scottish species including the Wildcat. We also host Raptor World Bird of Prey centre!
Welcome to England's Greatest Elizabethan house.
Welcome to Burghley, William Cecil’s ancestral home. This palatial Elizabethan prodigy house is still a much loved family home and we invite you to explore its historic collection of paintings, ceramics and works of art, many of which still stand where they were first recorded in 1688.
Rock UK Whithaugh Park Adventure Centre is nestled away in the beautiful landscape of the Scottish Borders. We share our 110 acre slice of Scottish countryside with red squirrels, deer and a wide variety of other wildlife.
A great place to bring the kids to meet our farmyard animals, follow the farmer as he feeds the deer and meet mythical creatures in Fairytale Forest. Older kids can lose energy in the outdoor play area, while toddlers play in the indoor playroom.
Market Hall Museum is an historic museum operated by Heritage and Culture Warwickshire.
Built in 1670, the Market Hall originally contained arches on all four walls (later converted to windows), to provide under-cover space for stalls.
A place to learn about the specialist wildlife work done by the hospital and to meet some of the rescued animals. Activities and Talks held during school holidays.
Kids can find out about how they either release animals back to the wild when they are fit, or gives them a home if not.
Nestled in a medieval deer-park, Knole is vast, complex and full of hidden treasures. Originally an Archbishop’s palace, the house passed through royal hands to the Sackville family – Knole’s inhabitants from 1603 to today.
The Highland Wildlife Park is a great day out for any visitor, but for young people it offers a marvellous educational opportunity, which helps to meet the demands of the Curriculum of Excellence and bring their lessons alive. We want to become an extension of your classroom and a valuable learning resource.
The Cathedral is the work of a local architect, Alexander Ross (1834-1925), himself a member of the congregation. The foundation-stone was laid in 1866 by Dr Charles Longley, Archbishop of Canterbury, the first official act in Scotland by an English Archbishop since the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in 1689.
Open 365 days a year, Edinburgh Zoo welcomes students of all ages. For a great day out, you can't beat Edinburgh Zoo. Our world-class attractions and our extensive animal collection will provide you and your family with memories to last a lifetime!
Join in the fun at Reaseheath Zoo. Meet our friendly ferrets, spot our newborn cotton-top tamarin twins, enjoy the spring sunshine with our ring-tailed lemurs and much more!
What We Do at the Raptor Foundation:
Provide medical care for injured raptors. Return rehabilitated birds to the wild. Provide sanctuary for unreleasable raptors.
Provide research into environmental problems and conservation matters. Assist with "Breed & Release" programs to rebuild raptor populations across Europe.
Paradise Wildlife Park is a fantastic Zoo, an amazing day out, an award winning family attraction & arguably the best venue for animal experience days in Europe. Full on fun with over 400 animals in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.
Education
We really are big enough to cope and small enough to care. Our aim is quite simply to offer the very best experience to all our customers.
Come face to face with hundreds of creatures – from otters, rays and clownfish to sharks and piranhas – discover the world’s waters under one roof.
New for 2014 – See amazing baby loggerhead turtles cruise the waters of their new Key West home and get jaw-droppingly close to the new crocodile!
Kirkley Hall is a 17th-century historic country mansion and Grade II listed building situated on the bank of the River Blyth at Kirkley, near Ponteland.
Zoological Gardens
New Forest Wildlife was originally a Butterfly Farm and later became the Nature Quest Wildlife Centre.
Carol and Roger Heap and their son Ed Heap, who have been working in wildlife conservation for most of their lives, took over the park 17 years ago and later re-named the centre the New Forest Wildlife Park.
Education
The Zoo is set in 37 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens, overlooking the coastline and mountains of North Wales. We are home to camels, monkeys, lemurs, bears, tamarins, sea lions, tigers, chimpanzees, meerkats and much more!
The Zoo represents a unique living resource to stimulate pupils and students of all ages. The Zoo offers a first class education service.
Visit the UK's largest aquarium and be amazed at our fascinating underwater world and how we all play a part in conserving it.
Your journey will take you across the world's oceans, from the shores of Plymouth to the coral reefs of the tropics. Our hosts deliver an action-packed talk schedule, including our not-to-be-missed interactive dive show at 2 pm daily.
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.