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

It’s a day out for the whole family with model/miniature railways and a country park as well as heritage steam and diesel locomotives operating and a host of other attractions. Sometimes you can see special visitors, be it Thomas the Tank Engine, a vintage Steam or historic Diesel Loco.

In addition to the famous monuments on Calton Hill, the old City Observatory can be found here. Inspired by a Greek temple of the Four Winds, the building was designed by William Henry Playfair in 1818.

A visit to Canterbury is not complete without experiencing Chaucer’s famous tales of medieval misadventures at one of the City’s most loved visitor attractions.

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era in this fabulous recreation of medieval life; a unique introduction to Canterbury and its famous literary connection.

This delightful triangular building was designed by Sir Thomas Tresham (father of one of the Gunpowder Plotters) and constructed between 1593 and 1597. It is a testament to Tresham’s Roman Catholicism: the number three, symbolising the Holy Trinity, is apparent everywhere. There are three floors, trefoil windows and three triangular gables on each side.

In the Old Grammar School you find an historic building, a range of collections and a local history archive. Each one of these would be worth visiting on its own, but to experience the three is exceptional. The collections are displayed over 8 galleries and cover mainly the social history of Kingsbridge and the surrounding area.

Intriguing Elizabethan lodge and moated garden

Set in the heart of rural Northamptonshire, Lyveden is a remarkable survivor of the Elizabethan age.

Begun by Sir Thomas Tresham to symbolise his Catholic faith, Lyveden remains incomplete and virtually unaltered since work stopped on his death in 1605.

Discover the mysterious garden lodge and explore the Elizabethan garden with its spiral mounts, terracing and canals.

Lord's is quite simply the home of cricket. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club. As well as being England's headquarters it is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club and hosts major domestic finals, as well as the finals of major international competitions when held in the UK, plus at least one Test match each summer.

The Artists’ Gallery for Everyone

For over a century the Whitechapel Gallery has premiered world-class artists from modern masters such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Frida Kahlo to contemporaries such as Sophie Calle, Paul Noble, Thomas Struth, Sarah Lucas and Mark Wallinger.

Bognor Regis is a traditional West Sussex seaside town. We’ve got three contemporary resort hotels, a funky spa, a restaurant by celebrity chef Brian Turner, a 2012 Quality Coast Award beach and the South Downs National Park on our doorstep.

The Whimple Heritage Centre is managed and maintained by an enthusiastic group of volunteers interested in Whimple's past and also its present.

“I have looked further into space than any human being did before me.” William Herschel

Zenith Leisure specialises in tailoring all of its outdoor activities and courses to each customer’s requirements. This means you get the very best experience possible. Based in the North East of England, we are able to deliver activities anywhere throughout the UK. You choose where and when; we do the rest!

Create your very own glowing slime, catch a star-spangled planetarium show or scare yourself silly with the new Frankenstein: Escape the Monster 4D ride. 

The Science Centre's permanent exhibitions focus on different aspects of scientific process and discovery.

From the start of the 2015 season, Welsh Water will run the water sports tuition and equipment hire service, formerly known as Gwent Adventures, from the new Water Sports Centre. Terry Sculley owner and founder of Gwent Adventures is retiring and Welsh Water has bought Gwent Adventures’ equipment and name.

I’m Tony Clarkson, the Senior Facility Manager. Myself and the friendly staff here at Haltemprice Leisure Centre are here to help ensure your visit to our facility is an enjoyable one.

Over the winter we will be carrying out a transformation of the castle, creating new displays and preparing to tell new, previously untold, stories. 2015 will mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, so make sure you set aside time in your diary to visit when we reopen from April.

Welcomes you to journey back to a bygone age and experience the thrill of steam and diesel on their preserved railway.

Peak Rail welcomes you to journey back to a bygone age and experience the thrill of steam and diesel on their preserved railway, operating between Rowsley South and Matlock Platform 2 for a distance of 4 miles and open to the public throughout the year.

Come explore amongst the 200-year-old trees!

Penn Woods are achingly explorable, ideal for minibeast hunting, leaf collecting, pond dipping, ladybird spotting, snail racing, picnicking and almost anything else you like to do outdoors with the kids!

In an area renowned for its rich stock of ancient woodland, Penn Wood, at its very heart, stands out as one of the largest.

Beautifully preserved Chepstow Castle is a history lesson in stone.

Bruise-less, mess-less combat game played with infra red, played in their huge, 2700 sqr foot laser labyrinth on 2 floors filled with special effect lighting, great music and eerie fog! For over 7s.

Take a walk around Rodbaston Visitor Centre Animal Zone and say hello to over 750 animals, from meerkats to monkeys, rabbits to alpacas.

Glorious beach with dramatic sand dunes, surrounded by sweeping coastal pinewoods

Red squirrels, natterjacks, prehistoric footprints and miles of coastal walks are just waiting to be discovered - part of Formby's amazing and ever changing landscape. 

Enjoy breathtaking sea views or a picnic; head out on a bracing coastal walk or find out about Formby's fascinating coastal history with links to asparagus growing and the early days of aviation.

Welcome to the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford.The Cathedral is situated on Barronstrand Street in Waterford City.

Nature reserve with bird hides, a visitor centre with wildlife explorer backpacks and picnic area. Free to visit.

These packs include trail notes, games and spotter sheets with different wildlife to look out for. Kids can follow the trail through the grassy glades, woods and pond at their own pace.

Come on board and put yourself in the shoes of the crew who sailed this world-famous ship around the world over a century ago.

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