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

Sand dunes with a royal history and great coastal views

St Helens Duver is a lovely place to relax or gently wander. There are sandy beaches, rock pools, sand dunes and coastal woods all within a small area. There is easy access from the car park onto the Duver with its short turf and gently undulating ground and views over Bembridge Harbour.

Ornate and rare large medieval guildhall

Originally built as a guildhall for a prosperous wool trade, St George's has been used under many guises a corn exchange, a weapons store and finally, a theatre.

The Dean & Chapter of Rochester welcome family groups, school children and students of all ages, abilities, cultural and religious backgrounds to learn about this historic centre of Christian worship.

Rugged coastline and heather moorland steeped in Celtic history

St David's Head is a dramatic headland northwest of St David's and Whitesands beach dominated by the peak of Carn Llidi. Super for sea views and circular coastal walks.

We are a small, friendly, sailing school, situated on the Studland peninsula, at the entrance to Poole harbour, close to the southern side of the Sandbanks ferry.

Shell Bay Sailing holds a licence to operate from the Adventurous Activities Licensing Service and is an RYA recognised training centre.

A Neolithic or early Bronze Age chambered tomb with an entrance passage, walled and roofed with stone slabs, leading into the central chamber.

Tregiffian is a type of chambered tomb known as an entrance grave, and survives largely intact, despite the levelling of part of its mound to make a road in the 1840s.

Kernow Coasteering is the UK's most westerly coasteering centre offering coasteering around Penzance and St. Ives. located on the Lands End peninsula in the far west of Cornwall, we're only a short drive from numerous awesome locations for coasteering where you can experience towering cliffs, caves and jumps.

We are based right in the heart of Abersoch, on the beautiful Lleyn peninsula. Learn how to sail or powerboat, or hire a dinghy, kayak or pedalo against a backdrop of jaw dropping scenery, including the beautiful Snowdonia mountain range​.

Dramatic and historic stretch of Cornish coast

The Lizard peninsula, the most southerly part of the British mainland, is a place apart.

A combination of the mild maritime climate and complex and unique geology has produced an area with a distinctive character, well known for its rare and unusual flora and where the famous call of the Cornish chough is never far away.

Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. This Lakeside SuperBowl has 24 lanes!

We create life changing adventures with a light touch on nature, focus young people’s sight & skills for the future and help organisations with innovation & sustainability. We play for the planet.

Growing up in St Davids, we've been swimming, surfing, and generally looking for fun and adventure on this coastline for decades. Ma Simes Surf School, established in 2001, is the oldest dedicated surf school in the area, with many thousands of surfers having passed through our Whitesands classes.

A wild rocky coast with jutting cliffs, a windswept down and sheltered wooded valley

This is possibly one of the most wild and beautiful parts of the Isle of Wight with a wonderfully varied landscape in a relatively small area.

Preserved derelict mill on the Dowles Brook in the Wyre Forest

The mill dates from the 18th century and includes the frames of an overshot waterwheel.

The ideal location for a stroll in the Wyre Forest along a meandering stream.

Discover secluded bays, magical creeks - a quieter pace of life

Interweaved with creeks and valleys, this remote peninsula on the south coast of Cornwall is a hidden treasure. Walking, kayaking and sailing are all fantastic ways to explore the Roseland landscape.

Tucked away at the bottom of the Roseland there's lots to discover for everyone

This remote peninsula on the south coast of Cornwall is a hidden treasure. The combination of cliffs, creeks, headlands, woods and lovely beaches, linked by many miles of footpaths, gives a fantastic variety of walking routes. Pick your route to suit your mood, or the weather that day.

Near Roseland.

Breathtaking coast, rich in heritage and wildlife

A vast low tide beach and a sea of glowing heather make it hard to believe this area was once an industrial landscape. The enigmatic buildings perched on the cliffs provide a reminder of St Agnes’ tin and copper mining past.

Pretty 17th-century 'Plantation' home with a significant costume collection

Experience the beguiling spirit of this inimitable 17th-century 'Plantation' home, with its walled gardens and parkland, full of tempting waymarked paths. There are ten generations of Lenox-Conyngham family tales to enthrall you, as well as numerous portraits and much furniture to admire and not forgetting Ireland's most-documented ghost: Olivia.

Beyond the black & white is a Tudor house with a Victorian personality

Speke Hall is a rare Tudor timber-framed manor house in a most unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. Restored and brought back to life in the 19th century, it is a unique and beautiful mixture of Tudor simplicity and Victorian Arts and Crafts' aesthetics.

Scenic backdrop to Newgale beach, with charming valleys and a history of wealth

For many, one of the iconic views of Pembrokeshire is the open expanse of St Bride’s Bay greeting you as you approach Newgale.

In 2003, we were left the Southwood Estate as a generous legacy by Mrs Maurer. She loved this part of the world and hoped that we would look after its special qualities for the benefit of the nation.

Remote unspoilt mountains steeped in history, deep wooded valleys and spectacular estuaries

Bordered by the beautiful Dwyryd and Dyfi estuaries, the mountains of south Snowdonia include some of Wales' most fascinating National Trust places It is here that the roots of the Trust took hold, with the acquisition in 1895 of Dinas Oleu.

Long sandy beach, rockpools and dunes with beautiful sunsets

One of the most popular beaches in the South Hams, the golden sands looks out over a bay of crystal clear waters framed by craggy rock formations including the iconic Thurlestone Rock.

The first lighthouse to use an electric light

A landmark of the White Cliffs, the Victorian lighthouse was built to warn mariners of shifting sands and guide them through the Strait of Dover. A place of innovation and science, the lighthouse was the first to display an electric light anywhere in the world.

A marvel of its age

Opened in 1871 Souter remains an iconic beacon. Hooped in red and white and standing proud on the coastline midway between the Tyne and the Wear. Souter is a special place all year round and was the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity.

A rugged stretch of coastline interrupted by gentle valleys

Solva Harbour is the perfect starting point for exploration of the village or to take a walk up onto the Gribin headland (for the magnificent views) and down to Gwadn beach.

Nine Wells Valley is a steep valley down to the sea, with the coastal fort of Porth-y-Rhaw at the bottom. From here fine walks lead in both directions along the coast.

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