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.
Open throughout the year, Wakehurst is the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The varied landscape is of international significance for its beautiful botanic gardens and tree collections, as well as for its science-based plant conservation and research.
Waddesdon Manor has so much to offer young people: beautiful, safe grounds and space to explore, living history, opportunities for learning and fun both outdoors and in. Highlights include the Woodland Playground, Explorer Trails around the gardens, the Children's shop, and the Aviary.
You can't get a driving licence in the UK until you're 17 but now, thanks to Young Driver, if you're 11 or over, you can learn to drive at one of our UK centres.
Hughenden offers a vivid insight into the charismatic personality and colourful private life of the most unlikely Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who lived here from 1848 to 1881. You can browse among an extraordinary collection of personal memorabilia, and there's even a Victorian playroom for younger visitors.
W&WCECOA has evolved over many years since the 1960s when we were a group who offered the opportunity to complete expeditions to any independent group who required assistance. We have evolved as the Award has evolved and in 1987 we became an Operating Authority.
We are one of a very few Operating Authorities in the UK that are completely run and organised by Volunteer Staff.
Our activities take place in the fresh air in spectacular locations. It's all about giving young people fantastic real-world experiences - no fake climbing walls in sight!
Along the Upper Wharfe Valley the characteristic dry-stone walls and barns of the Dales, important flower-rich hay meadows, beautiful riverside and valleyside woodland combine to create a wonderful place to relax and explore the great outdoors.
Perched on its vantage point high on the South Downs ridge, Uppark commands views as far south as the English Channel. Outside, the intimate gardens are being gradually restored to their original 18th-century design, with plenty of space in the adjacent meadow to play and relax with a picnic. The nearby woodland is great for exploring and den-building.
Part of the ancient forest of Charnwood, Ulverscroft is especially beautiful during the spring bluebell season. Includes heathland and woodland habitats.
Please note: access to Ulverscroft is by permit only from the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.
Spectacular Victorian Gothic Revival house with gardens and parkland. A fine Victorian country house created by one of England's richest commoners, William Gibbs, who built his fortune on fertiliser.
Explore centuries of Welsh living in this traditional stone-built upland farmhouse.
Set in the heart of the beautiful Conwy Valley, Ty Mawr was the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, the first translator of the Bible into Welsh.
Walks lead from the house through woodland and traditionally managed landscape.
Step into the world of a successful merchant and his family in 1500, when this fine three-storey house had just been built.
Discover the merchant's shop and working kitchen on the ground floor. The first-floor hall is newly transformed for this year with colourful wall hangings and replica Tudor furniture.
Education
An intimate Elizabethan manor and a Cornish gem, Trerice remains little changed by the advances in building fashions over the centuries, thanks to long periods under absentee owners.
Today the renowned stillness and tranquillity of Trerice is much prized by visitors.
Explore Trengwainton’s 25 acres and discover special plants nurtured for generations by those with a passion for their beauty and extraordinary story.
Spring comes early here with champion magnolias flowering from February onwards. Peer skywards to see their huge waxy blooms outlined against the sky, or look down to spot snowdrops lining the winding wooded paths.
Only a few metres from York Minster, this was the first house ever given to the National Trust complete with a collection - and it is not all that it first seems.
It has a history spanning 2,000 years, from the Roman road in the cellar to the Edwardian servants' quarters in the attics, and thirteen period rooms in between.
Medieval house with Great Hall, completed 1293 - with kitchen added in the 15th century. Solar Block contains an unusual wall-painting.
Symonds Yat is famous for its natural river scenery.
Join the river wending its way through Symonds Yat gorge and village, dividing it into East and West for a 40 minute boat trip with informed history and nature commentary.
Our outdoor activities and extreme sports include canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, gorge walking, abseiling, raft building and more
We are the top provider of both adventure experiences and skills courses in the area.
Planetree Adventure is a planet conscious adventure company. We believe that exploring the planet helps you explore yourself. This can be done locally & globally, individually or in a group, in many different ways for an hour, a day a week a month or more...
Walk the dramatic red sandstone escarpment of Alderley Edge, with views over the Cheshire Plain to the Peak District. Explore woodland paths or walk to neighbouring Hare Hill Garden.
Discover the highest point on the Edge which was originally a Bronze Age burial mound. It was later used as a fire beacon site which would have been lit as a signal to warn of the imminent invasion.
This rare 14th-century Wealden hall-house was the first building to be acquired by the National Trust, in 1896.
The thatched, timber-framed house is in an idyllic setting, with views across the River Cuckmere, and surrounded by a delightful, tranquil cottage garden full of wildlife.
Not our words but those of William Wordsworth - we are rather inclined to agree with him.
Take a walk on the wild side at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in Northumberland.
This extensive area of gorge and river scenery, including the 41-hectare (101-acre) Stawardpeel Site of Special Scientific Interest, has miles of waymarked walks through ornamental and ancient woods.
Our qualified and experienced staff offer opportunities to take part in both water and land based activities. This is your chance to try kayaking, canoeing, sailing, raft building, gorge walking, bell boating, climbing, abseiling, walking, archery, mountain biking, grass sledging, canal trips, orienteering, residentials and camping
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.