Strangford Lough is a unique and wonderful place of immense international importance for nature conservation. It is the largest sea lough in the British Isles, covering an area from Angus Rock at its mouth on the Irish Sea, to the vast sand-flats at its northern end 20 miles (33 kilometres) away. It is one of only three designated Marine Nature Reserves in the United Kingdom.
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
A monumental day out
A normally sedate trip made grand with their free children's activity packs, full of ideas to discover wildlife and nature in the gardens.
Stowe Landscape Gardens offer great children's activity packs, full of ideas to discover wildlife and nature in the gardens and help keep their interest going.
The home of a family who lived and loved the Arts & Crafts
Built as a summer home by Arts and Crafts architect-designer Ernest Gimson for his brother Sydney, Stoneywell zigzags from its rocky outcrop, amid rhododendrons and heather. Every turn conjures childhood memories of holiday excitement, dashing down the winding steps –– one way to the fort, the other to the woods beyond.
Welcome to Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.
Medieval yeoman's house and garden
15th-century half-timbered yeoman's house, featuring a great hall and surrounded by glorious garden, orchard and meadows.
A perfect example of a Wealden Hall-House, it is full of beautiful collections of furniture, wood and metal work.
Wonderful woodland walks over the Otham Valley can begin from here.
14th/15th-century farm buildings, formerly a priest's residence
The priests who lived here served the Chapel of St Nicholas (now destroyed). The Great Hall is open to visitors.
Marrick Priory is a historic 12th century medieval building that was developed in the 1970s into an Outdoor Education and Residential Centre. It is situated in Swaledale in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park and welcomes groups of visitors from all over the world.
Tynemouth Castle and Priory on the coast of North East England was once one of the largest fortified areas in England. Overlooking the North Sea and the River Tyne, it dominates the headland. With its 2000 year history and beautiful views it is the perfect location for a family fun day out.
The very extensive remains of a 13th century priory, founded on the site of a retired pirate's hermitage.
Part of it later served as a holiday retreat for the monks of Durham Cathedral. Beautifully sited by the River Wear with delightful riverside walks nearby.
We are located in a superb rural setting in the attractive village of Everdon, near Daventry. The surrounding countryside provides a wide variety of contrasting landscapes and habitats which make the area ideal for the study of Geography, Science and Environmental Studies.
The centre:
An adventure playground of rugged slopes, craggy summits and a cracking pint
Forged by fire and ice, the Langdales are dramatic to say the least. Home to the majestic Langdale Pikes, world class rock climbing and stunning mountain tarns, this is a natural playground, with walks and activities to suit all abilities. The ambitious can tackle the major peaks but it’s not all about high level scrambling.
The last remaining thatched windmill in England
Built in 1822, this is the last remaining thatched windmill in England - the last survivor of five in the area.
To view the original workings of this fascinating mill come and visit the interior on special Sunday's from 1pm until 5pm.
Windmill interior opening dates for 2015 are 12 April, 10 May, 14 June, 12 July, 9 August and 13 September.
Rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht on Coniston Water
Steam Yacht Gondola is the unrivalled sailing experience of the Lakes.
Enjoy the charm of luxury travel once experienced by wealthy Victorians, riding in style in Gondola’s opulent saloons or relaxing on her open-air decks as she glides across Coniston Water.
Imposing church built in 1653, with fine panelled interior
Staunton Harold Church rises above a lake whose tranquil waters reflect the beauty of north-west Leicestershire’s gently rolling hills. It is a picture of rural peace and contentment. But you need not look far to find a very different story from England’s most turbulent times.
Arts and Crafts family home with Morris & Co. interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden
James and Margaret Beale chose an idyllic location with views across the Sussex countryside for their rural retreat. Designed by Philip Webb, the house is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The house is dressed for a weekend stay in 1925, so you can imagine you are a guest of the family.
Beautiful stretch of coastline with sandy beaches, wooded valleys and lily ponds
Stackpole is both a listed designed landscape and an internationally important nature reserve. Footpaths radiate from the site of Stackpole Court, a grand mansion demolished before the National Trust owned this area. Exotic plantings in Lodge Park give way to mixed woodland further upstream.
Our eco award-winning centre is perfectly located to enjoy the Stackpole Estate. The recently upgraded residential centre with theatre, meeting and classroom facilities can accommodate up to 140 guests and is ideal for educational groups, corporate clients, private group hire and family holidays.
We provide an opportunity for people to maintain their interest and continue to develop their skills and confidence through youth work and adventurous water activities.
St Mawes Castle is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, and the most elaborately decorated of them all. One of the chain of forts built between 1539 and 1545 to counter an invasion threat from Catholic France and Spain, it guarded the important anchorage of Carrick Roads, sharing the task with Pendennis Castle on the other side of the Fal estuary.
Tranquil garden and 13th-century chapel
Set in the Darenth Valley, the rare surviving chapel is the only remaining structure of the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St John of Jerusalem formed in 1113.
Startlingly beautiful coastline where rugged cliffs rise above a glittering Atlantic
The 14-mile stretch of coast that runs westwards from the holiday resort of St Ives to the mining village of Pendeen, can lay proud claim to being the most startlingly beautiful in south-west England.
The Tate organisation is one of the foremost providers of art galleries and experiences for young people in the UK today.
We have four galleries:
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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.