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.
Wilton's is the world's oldest surviving Grand Music Hall and London's best kept secret. This stunning and atmospheric building is led by Frances Mayhew and produces an exciting programme of imaginative, diverse and distinct entertainment including theatre, music, comedy, cinema and cabaret.
The Cabaret Mechanical Theatre is a collection of contemporary automata, which is a kind of mechanical sculpture. Nearly all of the work in the collection is humorous.
Part of the collection is currently in a special exhibition at the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore.
The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden is the UK's premier operatic venue. Each year the Royal Opera Company produces new productions sung by the biggest stars on the planet. While the Royal Ballet, featuring some of the greatest dancers around, including many guest artists, performs a vast repertoire of both classic and modern pieces.
The Cathedral is a Parish Church of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain under the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Cathedral has been a Greek Orthodox place of worship since 1948 and serves the liturgical and pastoral needs of all Orthodox Christians in the area.
Highly regarded as one of the best skateparks in the UK, Cantelowes was picked to be in the Quiksilver Bowl Rider Competition which featured just one park from countries across Europe.
Dulwich Picture Gallery is the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery: it was founded in 1811 when Sir Francis Bourgeois RA bequeathed his collection of old masters “for the inspection of the public”.
Mile End is a heavily street-orientated skatepark, although there is a small swimming pool style bowl and wooden mini ramp indoors. It has several ledges spread out around the park, lots of flat land areas, manual pads and a nice hip with a ledge on top. It’s very much a good park to train your street skills up.
Far from being a museum, the Royal Tennis Court at Hampton Court Palace is the oldest tennis court in the world - and is still in use today. However, members of the public can gain admittance to see it.
Outset Contemporary Art Fund is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to supporting new art by bringing private funding from its patrons, partners and trustees to public museums and art projects. Since the inception of Outset England in 2003 the foundation has raised £4 million and supported more than 80 international institutions and 160 artists.
The Canalside Centre provides experiential learning experiences through the medium of sport, developing mental and physical abilities and promoting the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. We also offer the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
The Golf Club enjoys the use of a clubhouse with terrace overlooking the first tee. The clubhouse has a full bar, plenty of seating and a full-size snooker table. The clubhouse is open the following hours:
The centre has a leisure pool which features a 40m slide and a 25m fitness pool. Plus squash and badmington courts and 5-a-side footy courts.
The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 to collect portraits of famous British men and women. Explore over 195,000 portraits from the 16th Century to the present day.
The primary collection dates back to the 17th Century, but we also have special collections dedicated to the First World War, Virginia Woolf, the Real Tudors and the annual BP Portrait award.
British Exploring Society is an educational charity. We inspire young people from all backgrounds to unlock their potential through exploration on demanding and scientific expeditions, helping them and society better understand the world around us.
Aim High expeditions are AALS licensed providers of trekking, cycling, climbing and expeditions. We offer a range of services specific to the DofE.
The Wimbledon Park Watersports Centre offers a range of activities for the whole community. All activities are run by qualified professional staff.
Our sailing boats include - Drascombe Lugger, Wayfarer, Laser 2000, RS Feva, 370 Rondar, Laser, Pico's, Topper, Taz, Optimist, Fun boats, access sailing dinghies.
Whether you are looking for a high energy, calorie burning work out, a relaxing session to soothe the mind as well as body or a fun and social group routine, there is something to suit you.
Welcome to Urban Adventure Base. We believe that life in Tower Hamlets should be much more than just computer games, school and TV. We’re here to offer young people in the borough a whole range of activities and excursions that are stimulating, exciting and, above all else, fun.
Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre provides watersports and adventurous activities. We are open to everyone and there are lots of ways to get involved.
We organise training courses, events and sessions for groups, schools and individuals throughout the year.
Opened in September 2008, the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio celebrates the work of the sculptor, Frederick Edward McWilliam, who was born in Newry Street, Banbridge on 30 April 1909. A contemporary and friend of Henry Moore, McWilliam made his name in London and established a reputation as one of the most important sculptors of his generation.
Only 30 miles from central London, and easily accessible by road, the National Shooting Centre at Bisley has been the home of shooting since 1890 and has promoted and encouraged marksmanship for over 100 years. As part of this home the NCSC offers world class clay shooting facilities for all shooting disciplines and hosts international competitions.
Rosie and Jim Adventures was set up by mountaineering enthusiasts Rosie Boggis and James Cullen. We are based in London but offer mountain and adventure activities around the UK. We focus on providing high quality experiences to suit the individual needs and aims of our clients. Whether you’re interested in a gentle stroll through the hills or full-on winter mountaineering, we can help
The impressive motte and shell keep of Farnham Castle, Surrey, founded in 1138 by Bishop Henry of Blois. An enjoyable day out within travelling distance of London.
The Titus Trust runs four holiday groups – Iwerne & Forres Holidays, for those at the larger boarding schools and associated prep schools in the South of England; Lymington Rushmore Holidays, for those at a mixture of day and boarding schools in the South; Gloddaeth Holidays, for those at independent day and boarding schools in the North: and LDN Holid
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.