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

Cardiff Arms Park is home to the Cardiff Blues rugby team. It was, until 1997, home to the Welsh national rugby team, but made for the Millennium Stadium next door.

Built originally in 1881, it is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green. The stadium also hosted many music concerts including Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Bon Jovi and U2.

Arbeia Roman Fort once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne. The excavated remains, stunning reconstructions and finds discovered at the site combine to give a unique insight into life in Roman Britain.

The striking chequerboard flint and Caen limestone facade is part of one of the oldest Norman buildings in Sussex

The museum tells the story of Shoreham’s maritime and local history from prehistoric to medieval times.

The only one of its kind open to the public, this beautiful 15th century Wealden hall house stands in a traditional cottage garden on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in picturesque West Hoathly.

Welcome to the largest Roman home in Britain

Imagine the luxury that would once have surrounded the proud owner of this lavish Roman residence. This palace was certainly fit for a king. Stroll around the recreated Roman gardens – the earliest gardens found anywhere in the country – and enjoy the largest collection of mosaics in situ in the UK.

Schools

Travel back in time and meet the past at beautiful Michelham Priory

England’s longest water filled moat surrounds the site which dates back to 1229.

Explore Michelham’s fascinating 800 year history, from its foundation by Augustinian canons, through the destruction caused by the dissolution of the monasteries in Tudor times and into its later life as a country house.

Explore how the Tudors and Elizabethans lived, worked and relaxed at home

Find out about the part played by this beautiful medieval house in the story of one of England’s most famous kings, Henry VIII.  Other highlights include the authentically furnished kitchen and the garden which uses traditional plants and Tudor planting schemes.

Education

Discover where the young William Shakespeare courted his future bride Anne Hathaway at her picturesque family home.

A delightful and absorbing experience that combines entertainment, sentiment, humour and fantasy

The Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture is the only museum in Europe dedicated to a living artist. Andrew had always dreamed of opening a museum to share with the world his unique approach to life and art.

Iconic merchant house packed with fascinating stories, beautifully told

Set in a handsome Tudor house with 21st century displays, this museum tells the remarkable story of Thetford and the Brecks. Discover rich collections alongside audio guides, films and animations. 

Meet local people from Thetford’s past, from the revolutionary philosopher Thomas Paine to the Sikh hero Maharajah Duleep Singh and from rabbit warreners to railway workers. 

This prominent vantage point and strategic site was quickly recognised by the Normans, who built a huge timber fortress here by 1100 AD. Originally built by Robert de Toeni, (later known as Robert of Stafford), in the Norman period, Stafford Castle has dominated the local skyline for over 900 years. 

The Ancient High House is one of the finest Tudor buildings in the country. Once dominating the skyline of Stafford, it is the largest remaining timber framed town house in England.

Amersham Museum is an award winning museum located in a 15th century building in the heart of old Amersham. It is a hidden gem with a collection spanning 2,000 years of local history. 

Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre is set in a 36 acre site set in the South Downs National Park.
 

Loads of displays on different angles of history, spread across 12 interesting rooms and the garden. Join the Junior Almoners' Club for bonus trails and activities.

The Almonry exhibitions span 12 rooms and pretty much the whole of recorded time for the region, from prehistoric displays to Anglo-Saxon burial treasure, through to textile, horticultural and social history.

Our museum building is the oldest in Honiton with an interesting history. Documents show  a chapel called Allhallows existed here before 1327. From the 16th century the building was used by Allhallows School until 1938 when the school moved to Rousdon. The chancel of the old chapel is now the Murch Gallery which houses many items of local interest. 

A very rare example of a composite structure, featuring a wooden frame with reed and plaster (visible from within the house), encased in brick.

Ground floor and first floor rooms feature design interventions from Georgian through to Victorian times, whilst the attic floor is virtually untouched since 1611.

Follow in the footsteps of Hardy and Miller

Broadchurch walking trail has been launched along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset for fans of the TV series. The trail, launched by West Dorset District Council, will help visitors discover the settings of some of the iconic scenes which feature in the hit ITV series.

Palladian mansion with grand marble hall, porcelain collection and unique Maori meeting house

Clandon Park is one of the country’s most complete examples of a Palladian mansion. Built by a Venetian architect for Lord Onslow in the 1720s, the estate has been passed down through generations of this famous family.

Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!

We aim to help young people realise their potential through learning in the wild. We create a supportive and challenging environment in which young people can learn about themselves and see clearly, perhaps for the first time, what they might truly be capable of achieving in life.

Exceptional Tours, Expertly Delivered

When you choose WST to plan your school tour you’re choosing to travel with the experts. With over 300 combined years of experience, our 2013/14 brochure is packed with tours linked directly to the subjects, study themes and learning outcomes from the National Curriculum, but more than that, our Tour Consultants have an in-depth knowledge of your subject and your chosen destination.

Visiting the countryside and experiencing outdoor education is a crucial element of a child’s development and adventure learning is a great catalyst for this.

Our Adventure Learning courses and activities provide stimulating, challenging, fun experiences, helping children to feel good and learn better.

Dramatic views from the highest point on the Island

The Ventnor Downs rise steeply above the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor. With the sparkling sea below and the holm oak trees which have colonised the south facing chalk slopes there is almost a Mediterranean flavour to the landscape. On the top of the downs you find a complete change of landscape with large open areas of grass and heather.

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