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

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) first opened in 1885.  It is housed in a Grade II* listed city centre landmark building. There are over 40 galleries to explore that display art, applied art, social history, archaeology and ethnography:

Carefully restored, atmospheric 19th-century courtyard of working people's houses

An atmospheric glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who helped make Birmingham an extraordinary city.

On a fascinating guided tour, step back in time at Birmingham's last surviving court of back to backs; houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard.

The history of Birkenhead goes back beyond Victorian years. The oldest standing building on Merseyside, Birkenhead Priory encapsulates so much of the town's history within a small, enclosed site. Founded in 1150, the monks of this Benedictine monastery looked after travellers for nearly 400 years and supervised the first regulated 'Ferry 'cross the Mersey'.

A gallery full of contemporary craft, displays of historic items, plus events for all ages. Great inspiration for your little art fans as you can hold and touch a number of items. Free to visit.

The gallery has a changing exhibition programme that features some great examples of modern craft such as jewellery, textiles, ceramics, woodwork and more.

The Biggar Albion Foundation (Scottish Charity No. SC031203) is based in Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Foundation is responsible for the Albion Club, the Albion Archive, the Biggar Rally and the Albion Museum at North Back Road, which houses a collection of historic Albion vehicles and units.

Big Pit Amgueddfa Lofaol Cymru

Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. With facilities to educate and entertain all ages, Big Pit is an exciting and informative day out.

Underground Tours

A surprise around every corner!

This unique Museum is housed in an unusual 18thC 'Butchers Shambles'.

Situated in the heart of the picturesque Georgian town of Bewdley, the museum offers a friendly welcome and entertaining experience for the whole family.

The Last Working Mill in Yorkshire

Skidby Mill is a working four-sailed tower windmill, the last working mill in Yorkshire. It is set in an acre of land and has magnificent views over the Wolds. The mill is unusual in still having all its original outbuildings around the courtyard. Some of these buildings have been converted to form the Museum of East Riding Rural Life.

Sewerby Hall is a Grade I listed Georgian country house with Regency and Victorian additions set in 50 acres of picturesque park. The Hall contains an important collection of Amy Johnson memorabilia and galleries in which a temporary exhibition programme is displayed.

Goole Community Museum is located on the first floor of the Goole Library building, and explores the history of the historic port town of Goole through permanent displays and a temporary exhibition programme. The museum welcomes visits from schools and community groups, and has a dedicated Education Room in which pupils and visitors can work with the museum collections.

The Beverley Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed building which has had a long and fascinating history. Originally purchased by the Beverley town keepers in 1501, it has been in continuous civic use since then. Today it is run as a historic building and community museum but is still used for ceremonial civic occasions.

The East Riding Treasure House is a heritage centre providing museum, library and archive facilities under one roof, plus access to the adjoining Edwardian exhibition spaces of the Beverley Art Gallery. The Treasure House tower provides splendid views over the rooftops of Beverley.

Learning

Have fun and learn about the history of Berwick-Upon-Tweed as you walk through the alleys of the old town recreated in the Window on Berwick displays. Meet some of its fascinating characters and find out about the old ways of life including the Mayor’s power to sentence to death!

Made famous by John ‘Iron Mad’ Wilkinson, a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution, the once noisy Bersham Ironworks now nestles quietly in the attractive Clywedog Valley, two miles outside Wrexham in north-east Wales.

School history workshops for KS2 - KS3 pupils.

Neo-classical mansion with fine interiors, set in landscape grounds

Get creative in our den building area; join a garden, parkland or architecture tour; and explore the family rooms and see how the servants moved around the house unseen by the family and guests!

The museum contains a well displayed and comprehensive collection tracing the history of the Regiment since its beginnings in 1794.

The Royal Berkshire Medical Museum is part of the Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre which was founded in 1997.

Our aim is to preserve and display items of historical medical interest particularly those with a local connection.

The museum is based in the former USAF hardened command post o the former Bentwaters airfield. We believe this is the only such building open ot the public in hte UK and Europe.

A family home for 500 years

Situated on a plateau above the gorge of the River Severn, this fine stone house has mullioned and transomed windows, a stunning interior with carved oak staircase and decorated plaster ceilings and oak panelling.

Castle built by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons

Built in the 15th century by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons, Blackness was never destined as a peaceful lordly residence; its enduring roles were those of garrison fortress and state prison.

Highlights

  • Blackness Castle stands in for Fort William in series one of the TV show Outlander.

Pleasure palace of the royal Stewarts

Built and developed over two centuries by successive Stewart kings of Scotland, Linlithgow Palace was a comfortable and attractive retreat from affairs of state, conveniently placed between Stirling and Edinburgh. Both James V and his daughter Mary Queen of Scots were born here, overlooking the tranquil beauty of the loch and peel (park).

Burial site dating to 3,000 BC

Cairnpapple was used from about 3,000 BC to 1400 BC firstly as a ceremonial site then several centuries later as a burial site.

Cairnpapple Hill is located 5km north of Bathgate, 2km from Torphichen.

Highlights

Glorious gardens surround this baroque mansion with National Portrait Gallery paintings

Inspired by his Grand Tour, John Bourchier created Beningbrough, an Italian Palace nestled between York, Harrogate and Leeds. The impressive rooms are a perfect backdrop for the rich collection of portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, Beningbrough’s long-term partner.

The Ben Uri Collection is the world's most distinguished body of work by artists of European Jewish descent.

Schools

Ben Uri is dedicated to providing inclusive learning programmes for schools, families, communities and adult learners.

The Perfect English Country House?

Begun for Sir John Brownlow in 1685, Belton was certainly designed to impress and across its 300 year history, each generation of the Brownlows left their creative mark.

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