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

Snowshill Manor is a Cotswold manor house packed with extraordinary treasures collected over a life time by Charles Wade

Inside these rooms you can discover this eclectic collection that he restored and displayed. We have maintained the atmospheric settings he created with low lighting and few labels. From tiny toys to Samurai armour, musical instruments to fine clocks, thousands of objects are laid out for you to see just as Mr Wade intended.

Welcome to Thermae Bath Spa where past, present and future join for a special spa experience. Now, in the World Heritage city of Bath you can enjoy Britain's only natural thermal waters, as the Celts and Romans did over 2000 years ago.

Tenpin Stafford is a bowling centre located in Greyfriars Place. We have 20 modern fully computerised lanes, American Pool tables, Amusement Arcades all catered towards families and kids. There is also the Beach Road Cafe Bar for some delicious meal and snack options.

Welcome to Center Parcs, the award-winning number one short break provider in the UK. Our five Villages are nestled within beautiful and secluded woodland, providing an ideal location for a unique short break to remember.

Caernarfon Castle is a medieval fortress in Caernarfon, built in 1283 (it took over 1,000 more than four years to construct) by Edward I in order to stamp his authority on the rebellious Welsh. 

We are an adventure learning organisation that uses adventure and experiential learning to give people the chance to enjoy the great outdoors, develop skills for work and life, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future.

Total Adventure Ltd, based on the shores of Windermere offers a wide range of instructional led outdoor activities as well as bespoke outdoor events tailored to your own specific requirements. With over 40 years of outdoor experience all our staff are fully qualified, friendly and experienced.

Our North Pennines Activity Centre, Barhaugh Hall, stands in 9 acres of grounds and is set amongst the rolling hills of the North Pennines. The centre is just north of Alston, in an area designated of 'outstanding natural beauty', and around 20 miles from junction 40 of the M6.

Our Ullswater centre, set in the heart of the Lake District National Park and on the shores of the lake, has easy access to Helvellyn, the surrounding fells, crags, ghylls and waterfalls. It is one of the original homes of rock climbing as a sport and boasts a wide variety of locations for any level of climbing. 

There is lots to look at whilst you are here: We have plenty of adults courses and children's outdoor activities on offer. 

The Bendrigg Trust is a Charitable Trust offering residential and day activity courses for groups of disabled and disadvantaged people, of any age or ability.

Majestic views and peaceful walks in beautiful countryside

Stunning Tarn Hows offers an accessible circular (1¾ miles) walk through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views. A great place to walk and picnic, or to begin your wider Lake District countryside adventure. There are also rare Belted Galloway cattle and sturdy Herdwick sheep grazing by the tarn.

Longsleddale Outdoor Pursuits Centre is a voluntary outdoors centre based just North of Kendal in the Lake District. It was formed 40 years ago to provide free or cheap access to the outdoors for the underprivileged youth of Bolton / Manchester.

We specialise in providing Outdoor Adventure Activities that are tailored for our clients to get the most out of the beautiful Lake District surroundings. We cater for individuals and groups and can tailor our activities to suit nearly all ages and experience levels.

We provide high quality, enjoyable learning through the outdoors for children and young people. Our work emphasises personal, social and environmental awareness and understanding and is closely related to the “Every Child Matters” agenda.

There is lots to look at whilst you are here: We have plenty of adults courses and children's outdoor activities on offer. 

The Manor is the ideal centre for school groups and other groups. It is well equipped to cater for up to 69 in number. Enjoy the experience of our adventure equipment in the grounds - there's something for all ages. You could abseil from the balcony, climb a crate tower or have a go at archery, to name a few of the activities on offer.

Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views and the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop.

It is also among the earliest British circles, raised in about 3000 BC during the Neolithic period. 

A large and impressive Neolithic henge, much better preserved than neighbouring King Arthur's Round Table. Its banks stand up to 3 metres (10 feet) high, and unusually are constructed of pebbles collected from the nearby river.

Near the centre is a single standing stone: old drawings suggest that it was one of a group  here, four more having been removed from the entranceway. 

Residential courses at Longrigg create a community in which every member is asked to contribute. Through these contributions we hope people will grow and develop and then have the confidence to put their "ideas into action".

We provide a range of canoeing and bushcraft activities to suit all ages, abilities and requirements - families, couples, individuals and groups are all welcome.

Ascent Training (Adventure Education Ltd) is a Lake District based outdoor activity provider.

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