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.
Hatch End Swimming Pool is set in the London Borough of Harrow and provides the local community with a range of water based activities.
Offering a range of activities including our award winning swim school, Swim 4 Fitness, Swim 4 All and fitness classes such as Aqua Fit, there is always something going on in the water at Hatch End Swimming Pool.
Harp Young Sailors has been around since 2002 helping young sailors of the three open clubs on the Welsh Harp Reservoir learn to sail and further progress their dinghy sailing ability. With the collaboration of two large sailing clubs on a stretch of water just 5 miles from Central London.
Located in the heart of London’s Docklands at the west end of Millwall outer dock, the Centre is based in an award winning purpose built facility with great views from the upstairs bar over the dock, and wet facilities downstairs. We are a Royal Yachting Association recognised training centre, and deliver courses in Sailing, Windsurfing and Powerboating under the RYA scheme.
The BDA Dental Museum is the place to find out about the history of dental care and dentists in the UK. With over 20,000 items the museum has the largest collection of material relating to the history of dentistry in the UK, from its time as a marketplace spectacle to the complex procedures and treatment of today.
The British Optical Association Museum was founded by John H. Sutcliffe OBE in 1901 as a collection of historic spectacles and visual aids designed to illustrate the development of corrective eyewear.
With free access to over 2,300 paintings from altarpieces to the Impressionists, there's something for everyone at the National Gallery, in the heart of London.
The Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom, Saint Sophia, was built in 1879 by the Greek community in London. It is constructed in the style of a cruciform basilica with a central dome. The Cathedral's interior is elaborately decorated and is the pride of the Greek Diaspora.
The Prince’s Trust Hackney Centre offers the Fairbridge programme to young people aged 13 – 25 who are struggling with education or are unemployed. The Fairbridge programme is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Come to Kew and explore the world’s most famous botanic garden. Just 30 minutes from central London, Kew Gardens boasts breathtaking landscapes, iconic glasshouses, historic buildings and rare and beautiful plants. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Immerse yourself in 1930s Art Deco decadence at Eltham Palace, one of the most enchanting visitor attractions in London. Built by the wealthy Courtauld family next to the remains of Eltham Palace, childhood home of Henry VIII, it’s among the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in England.
Based in the inner London district of Southwark are the remains of Winchester Palace - once one of the largest and most important buildings in all of medieval London. Built in the early 13th century as a home to the powerful Bishops of Winchester, now all that remains of the once prominent and lavish residence are a few walls of the Great Hall.
FSC London is the FSC's 17th Centre and its first inner-city centre, opening on 1st January 2011.
The Centre uses the evolving and vibrant mix of buildings, spaces and parks around London to inspire and educate.
The story of Jersey from Neolithic times to the modern day. Discover the island's finest treasures on display including a priceless Bronze Age gold torque and Millais' famous portrait of Lillie Langtry.
Pier Road Merchant House
Come and find out why the once wealthy inhabitants of No 9 Pier Road were forced to sell up in the 1860s.
La Hougue Bie delivers a truly memorable experience that is at once thought provoking and peaceful.
Absorb yourself in interactive exhibits to feel the force of a gale, understand the tides and learn how to design and float a ship. Immerse yourself in songs and stories of the sea.
History comes to life at Mont Orgueil Castle, which for 600 years protected Jersey against French invasion. Explore the network of staircases, towers and secret rooms to discover hidden treasures. Please note, the main gate access to the castle may be closed due to building work. There is alternative access from the footpath along Gorey Pier.
Built on a rocky islet in St Aubin's Bay, Elizabeth Castle defended Jersey for more than 400 years. The castle is accessible at low tide by foot or the castle ferry.
Discover six centuries of Jersey’s rural life at Hamptonne Country Life Museum. Dating back to the 15th century the house and farm are brought to life with characters from the Island’s past.
German Occupation Museum is an excellent place to learn about what it was like on Guernsey during the five years of German occupation during the second World War. Not only can you see military artefacts such as an anti tank gun and a 4 wheel enigma machine, but you can also get a sense of what it was like for the people during that time.
Music and Theatre at the Barbican
The Barbican welcomes the world's top soloists and musicians in both classical and contemporary music.
We offer the greatest music in our concert hall and world-class theatre in our performance space, which is the London home of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
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.