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.
Step into a world of plots, passion, intrigue and high fashion with the people of the palace.
Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish independence & a source of national pride. Knights, nobles and foreign ambassadors once flocked to the Royal Court at Stirling Castle to revel in the castle's grandeur.
Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this picturesque open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John's historic sealing of Magna Carta over 800 years ago on 15 June 1215.
We manage 26 nature reserves around the county totaling almost 3,500 acres. We carry out conservation projects to create and restore habitats for wildlife, to ensure that the county's wild creatures have se
The Shropshire Wildlife Trust's aim is to give all children opportunities to enjoy being outside and discovering wildlife, so although the base is at the visitor centre we operate many activities in woodland nearby.
The Saturday craft fairs at our Visitor Centre are free to enter and include activities for children. We also offer a weekday range of arts and crafts workshops for all.
We work with some of the most endangered animals across the world in countries such as Galapagos, India, Madagascar and the Caribbean Islands, taking action within the animal’s habitats and securing their future through captive breeding or research within our wildlife park.
Our work at Shaldon Wildlife Trust is vital to the long-term survival of many animals which are at risk of extinction in their natural habitat.
Every year thousands of young people take part in the exciting and varied wildlife and environmental education activities offered by the Centre of the Earth.
Set in a stunning nature reserve of 461 acres which comprises woodland, meadows, lakes and former plotland gardens. There are beautiful wildlife gardens and a museum of Plotland Life.
It offers the visitor real peace and quiet and a chance to escape from it all. A wide range of habitats are on view here, including grassland, heathland and ponds.
A wetland site of international importance for wildfowl. Up to 40,000 ducks, swans and geese visit each year. Excellent bird watching opportunities and fabulous views over the reservoir.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is the county's leading conservation charity run by local people for the benefit of local wildlife, with over 70 nature reserves - part of a UK network of 47 local Wildlife Trusts working to protect wildlife.
It was Britain's deadliest conflict and one which shaped our modern world. Why did brother take up arms against brother and how did a once all-powerful monarch lose his head to the axeman?
Being restored to its 18th century beauty, with fascinating statues, follies and temples hidden around every corner of the garden for your students to discover on our Nature Trail, Croome is an incredible place to visit.
Graphic displays on three floors, roof viewing platform and Tower Shop are a must for Cotswold visits.
Broadway Tower is one of England's outstanding viewpoints and at 1024 feet (312m) above sea level, it is the second highest point on the Cotswold escarpment. Unrivalled views survey an expanse of a 62 mile radius and as many as 16 Counties.
Enjoy a great day out in Warwickshire at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden. One of the largest historic attractions in the West Midlands, the whole family will enjoy exploring the spectacular castle ruins.
The ruins are best known as the home of Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I. Dudley created an ornate palace here to impress his Queen in 1575.
Futuroscope is the intelligent theme park. It is designed with education in mind and is one of France’s most visited attractions, being based upon multimedia, cinematographic futuroscope and audio-visual techniques. Situated in the heart of the superb Poitou-Charentes region of western France, Futuroscope offers a unique experience for any school group.
Until the 19th century the Long Man was only visible in certain light conditions and after a light fall of snow, but in 1874 it was marked out in yellow bricks.
The University of Hull Art Collection is a small but outstanding collection specialising in paintings, sculpture, drawings and prints produced in Britain 1890-1940.
Housed in the local library, this collection of local history material contains archaeological finds of national importance. Includes a small and varied collection of British and foreign firearms, swords and daggers, shot and powder flasks and a few pieces of armour.
A grocery store from the last century presenting the visitor with a time capsule of days gone by when personal service and home deliveries were the order of the day.
The museum is owned and managed by the Tamar Protection Society - an environmental group which manages an additional museum of Tudor Elizabethan life and gardening at Mary Newman's Cottage.
Cardiff Bay is a diverse waterfront built around a 200 hectare freshwater lake known as ‘the Bay’. Find a great mix of Cardiff attractions, entertainment and events, coupled with vibrant bars and shops that create a truly unique atmosphere worthy of any capital city!
Modern art gallery with a permanent collection of Scottish 20th century paintings which includes examples of work by the Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists. A selection from this collection is displayed regularly along with a continuous programme of temporary exhibitions. Appointments required to view works from the permanent collection when not on display.
Bexhill Museum offers something for everyone from local history and archaeology to fashion and Bexhill’s motor heritage.
The unique collections are housed in a distinctive building which combines a traditional Edwardian museum with a modern extension.
A Mill is recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086 on the site of the The Old Mill. In the 14th Century it had begun to be known as Slaughter Mill and by the 18th Century had become independent of the manorial estate.
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.