Brunel's SS Great Britain is one of the most important historic ships in the world. When she was launched in 1843 she was called the 'Greatest Experiment since the Creation'. It was the first modern ship, with an iron hull - a revolution in design. People could barely understand how she could float.
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
Formerly the Olympic Stadium in Stratford
The Olympic Park’s most recognisable venue, the London Stadium is a magnificent arena that will be the only venue in the UK able to host both world class football and athletics events.
Be the King or Queen of the Castle
With its 3,000 year history, stunning location and panoramic views over the dramatic Yorkshire coastline, Scarborough Castle fully deserves its place as one of the finest tourist attractions in the North. It started life as an Iron Age Fort, was occupied by the Romans, became a Viking settlement and reached its heyday under Henry II.
Award-winning, tailor-made school trips and resources
Established in 1983, Discover the World's specialist study trips programme provides tailor-made educational travel, whether for field study or quite simply through ‘awe and wonder’.
A dedicated schools travel team offer first-hand destination knowledge and the highest levels of customer service - 99% of school trip organisers rated us 'good' or 'excellent' in 2013.
The Victoria and Albert Museum offers a huge range of exhibits covering aspects of art and design such as ceramics, fashion and clothing, furniture, gless and jewelry, as well as much much more.
The V&A is free to visit but you need to book in advance for self-directed group visits and for any programmes on offer.
The Last Survivor of the Battle of Jutland
The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment have worked as partners to restore HMS Caroline, a lone survivor of the Battle of Jutland and living legend. With the help of a grant of £11.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) the ship opened to all for the first time in June 2016.
What was HMS Caroline?
The museum is located in a former sail loft and is part of the Nottage Maritime Institute which aims to improve nautical, sailing and navigation skills. There is a fine collection of paintings, personal possessions, photographs and models all with local connections to the River Colne and its fishing, yachting and boat-building heritage.
Housed in the Low Lighthouse, an 1818 construction with commanding views over the harbour and its unending movements, Harwich's Maritime Museum reveals the town's vast maritime history.
A circular fort commanding the eastern side of Harwich port. It was built between 1807 and 1809 to support Landguard Fort on the opposite shore near Felixstowe and to form part of the chain of Martello Tower defences.
Wander the corridors of power and pleasure
With its 500 years of royal history Hampton Court Palace has something to offer everyone. Set in sixty acres of world famous gardens the Palace is a living tapestry of history from Henry VIII to George II.
Box Hill, North Downs
Juniper Hall is an amazing location for fieldwork, set in a quiet wooded valley in an unspoilt area of the chalk North Downs at the edge of Box Hill (less than 10 minutes from the M25).
Explore Constable Country
Flatford lies in the heart of the beautiful Dedham Vale.
Dale is the sunniest place in Wales and averages in excess of 1,800 hours of sun shine a year. It is a perfect location for a field trip. It is surprisingly accessible and once here you'll appreciate its fantastic setting.
Discover amazing island scenery, brilliant wildlife and quality teaching at FSC Millport. Millport offers residential and day field trips for all ages, linked to Curriculum for Excellence or all the England and Wales exam boards. All our courses are tailored to your requirements and our experienced staff will work with you to develop a course to suit you and your students.
South Devon Coast
The Centre is located on the Start Bay coast and surrounded by Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve. The Ley is the largest natural freshwater lake in the South West. It is separated from the sea by Slapton Sands (a barrier beach and shingle ridge). The surrounding coastline, nearby coastal towns and Dartmoor National Park provide unrivalled opportunities for field courses.
Kindrogan
FSC Kindrogan is set in wooded grounds on the banks of the River Ardle, and is a gateway to the picturesque Scottish Highlands. It lies within easy reach of some of the remotest areas of the UK with inspiring landforms and rich range of wildlife habitats but is just one and a half hours travel from Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Snowdonia
FSC Rhyd-y-creuau provides high quality residential outdoor learning and fieldwork for primary schools, secondary schools and university groups. We also have a range of courses and holidays for adults and families.
Pembrokeshire Coast
Orielton Field Centre is ideally placed to explore the diverse environments & habitats that Pembrokeshire has to offer. As a centre we cater for University Groups, Schools and leisure learners.
Northern Ireland
FSC Northern Ireland provides fieldwork opportunities in Belfast with a wide variety of urban fieldwork courses across Belfast and in the Titanic Quarter, which is one of the world’s largest urban, waterfront regeneration projects.
West Fermanagh
Derrygonnelly Centre lies in the unspoilt West Fermanagh countryside, 10 miles from Enniskillen and only 15 miles from the Donegal coast. The Centre is run in partnership with Derrygonnelly and District Community Enterprises, on the site of a former creamery. The River Sillees runs through the Centre grounds.
Neath Port Talbot / Castell Nedd Port Talbot
Set in 850 acres of beautiful parkland where 600 deer roam freely, Margam Discovery Centre offers high quality environmental education to all age groups, both residentially and for day visits. The centre is a state of the art low carbon footprint building designed by The Welsh School of Architects.
Amersham Field Centre is located in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The FSC manages the centre and nature reserve on behalf of National Grid Transco. The 30 hectare site provides a mosaic of woodland, grassland and pond habitats for all ages to study.
In the Heart of Ancient Woodland
Epping Forest Field Centre is a purpose-built non residential centre located in a terrific Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation that provides excellent learning opportunities. It has excellent transport links and is only a few kilometres from the M25 and M11 and from Loughton Station (Central Line for London Undergro
Lake District
Castle Head Field Centre lies in its own extensive grounds between the southern fells of the Lake District and the shores of Morecambe Bay. The Centre has 120 beds and a number of large indoor spaces including 6 workrooms, student common rooms, a separate staff lounge and a sports hall.
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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.