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

Open daily for prayer, in St Mary's Cathedral, worship is offered to God 365 days of the year. Standing high above the River Shannon, on King's Island,this cathedral has been a beacon of light -  a place of Christian worship for nearly 900 years.  

St Mary’s Cathedral is mother church to the united Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway in the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is in full membership of the world-wide Anglican Communion.

In keeping with a liberal theology, St Mary’s strives to provide:

The educational work of the Cathedral is seen as an important and developing area with a great deal to offer. Over the past few years we have welcomed numerous groups of young people from all over Cumbria, together with others from many parts of Britain and abroad.

The Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Catholic community in the Diocese of Middlesbrough and seat of Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey. It is both a holy place of worship and a solace of prayer. Saint Mary’s is home to a community of people who seek to make the it a place of welcome, beauty and holiness.

Newport Cathedral is a busy, active and attractive Christian community and place of worship. It serves as a parish church, as well as the Cathedral for the Diocese of Monmouth; thus the Dean is also the vicar of the parish of St Woolos, and its daughter church, St Martins-in-the-Gaer.

There is a regular pattern of services, to which all are warmly welcomed.

St. Peter's Cathedral, Belfast is the Roman Catholic cathedral church for the diocese of Down and Connor, and dates from the 1860s.

The Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Felim, also known as Cavan Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the town of Cavan in Ireland.

The Cathedral Church of SS Peter & Paul, Dyfrig, Teilo and Euddogwy is the mother church of the Diocese of Llandaff and is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff.  The Diocese, one of the six dioceses comprising the Province of The Church in Wales, covers the general area of South Wales bounded by Cardiff in the South East to Neath in the South West, the Heads of the Valleys to the North and th

A Victorian fort gradually being restored

In a commanding position on top of Bembridge Down, Isle of Wight, this derelict Victorian fort is now open for volunteer-run guided tours.

Guided tours are available every Tuesday from April to October. Additional weekday tours for groups of 10 plus may be possible on request.

Canterbury Cathedral is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Cathedral is both a holy place and part of a World Heritage Site. It is the home of a community of people who seek to make the Cathedral a place of welcome, beauty and holiness and take part in one of our 2,00 services each year.

This is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. It stands over the place where Alban, the first martyr, was buried after giving his life for his faith over 1700 years ago - more than 200 years before St Augustine arrived in Canterbury.

The Brighton Buddhist Centre has been welcoming educational and community groups for many years. Our sessions are popular with schools in Brighton and Sussex many of whom visit regularly, so please book well in advance to avoid disappointment. We have full disabled access.

A friendly, family run business with a wonderful collection of over 30 birds of prey to see, including owls, hawks, and falcons. A number of experiences available for accompanied children aged 14 and older.

Recent additions that the kids won’t want to miss are a Great Grey Owl and a Steppe Eagle, there is also a Green Winged Macaw called Woody!

The Stockwood Discovery Centre is designed with environmentally green and sustainable principles in mind.

With interactive display, variety of gardens, children play area, special events and activities, bee gallery and much more, it is a wonderful visitor attraction and museum. Collection highlights include the Wenlok Jug, the Shillington gold coin hoard and the Mossman collection.

Birds of prey are constantly showing off their skills at this amazing centre, where breeding and conservation are of paramount importance. Many different types of birds of prey are on display here, including eagles, hawks, owls and falcons.

Cotswold Falconry Centre aims to be one of the friendliest Raptor centres in the country.

The museum is housed in part of a building which is in itself a museum piece; a small manor house dating from the 17th century which was used as a parsonage in 1724.

Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, the craggy landscape of St Abb’s Head on the Berwickshire coast is a National Nature Reserve famous for its clamouring seabirds, rugged coastline, rich grasslands and crystal-clear waters.

A veritable ‘seabird city’, St Abb’s Head is a year-round haven for birdwatchers, walkers and wildlife lovers.

Dorset's largest hill fort renowned for its downland wildlife

Explore the earthworks from both the Roman and Iron Age periods and imagine what it would've looked like thousands of years ago.

Take a closer look at the five entrances through the ramparts, two of which are Iron Age, two Roman and one medieval. And once inside the hill fort you'll see remains of buildings and property boundaries in the form of circular hollows and ridges.

Come and explore our unique tropical haven of wonderful plants and animals situated in the heart of the city.

Why Plantasia?

Open expanses of flowery downland and far-reaching views

This area of natural beauty was bought in memory of Thomas Hardy, to protect the landscape in which his novels are set. Fontmell Down and Harding's Down offer stunning views that stretch for miles across the Blackmore Vale.

Set in part of a 600 acre working farm, which provides a varied selection of animals to see including llamas, goats, peacocks and red deer. Kids will also enjoy the adventure playground and the go kart track!

Educational Visits

A limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures

Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. Great idea for family days out in Nottinghamshire.

Bayham Abbey makes a fascinating day out on the Kent-Sussex border. The impressive ruins include much of the 13th to 15th-century church, the chapter house, and a picturesque 14th-century gatehouse.

Harewood House is a country house in Harewood near Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Designed by architects John Carr and Robert Adam, it was built between 1759 and 1771 for wealthy trader Edwin Lascelles, 1st Baron Harewood.

Experience the romance and mystery of Newstead Abbey, home of Lord Byron

A beautiful historic house set in a glorious landscape of gardens and parkland within the heart of Nottinghamshire.

Medieval Newstead

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