Where teachers are taking their pupils on educational visits in 2024

2024 looks set to be another busy year for school travel. The teachers we’ve heard from already have busy calendars with a variety of school trips planned to offer enriching experiences for all ages. Here’s a few to offer you inspiration:

Joe Hughes, school administrator at Eaton Square Senior School in London, said: “We’re starting the year with Key Stage 3 visits to the Natural History Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and with Key Stage 5 students visiting the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford. Visits to museums and galleries offer the useful tool of having strong curricular links to the classroom but with the added benefit of enjoying additional workshops and exhibitions led by experts in their respective fields of arts and sciences.

“We’ll also see the return of our annual visit to Italy where staff and students turn their attention to sharpening their ski skills.”

Becky Baldwin, learning outside the classroom (LOtC) coordinator at Castle Manor Academy in Suffolk, has a range of visits booked in, including to Cineworld and Chelmsford Ice Rink. 

She told us: “We’ll also be heading to Cambridge Theatre London to see Matilda and Thorpe Woodlands Adventure Centre in Thetford which is fantastic for SEND outdoor pursuits and a good value residential, plus Thorpe Park which is easy to book - although avoiding Fridays is a must and you should always leave earlier than you think to beat the crowds.”

Elsewhere, Matt O’Grady, head teacher of West Horndon Primary School in Essex, says he is looking forward to a number of visits that ‘broaden pupils’ horizons while supporting their development.

He said: “A few highlights will include a visit to the Tower of London for Year 3 accompanied by a children’s author who based their story there, a visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, to bring the magic of English to life for Year 4 and a visit to the Houses of Parliament for Year 6 to deepen their understanding of democracy.

“Year 5 will be visiting Writtle College for their amazing annual food and farming day as we were lucky in the ballot and Year 2 will take a trip to Colchester Zoo as part of their animal-based studies. We also plan to end the year by taking the whole school to the seaside to build some memories.

“Finally, the year would not be complete with planning our annual Year 6 residential visit to the Ironbridge World Heritage Site in Shropshire which has become the ‘jewel in the crown’ of our off-site visit offer.

Katie Crampton, Year 4 teacher at Ashurst Primary School in Merseyside, is looking forward to inspiring her group with a geography and science trip to remember at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes.

She said: “The Year 4 children will be taking part in the workshop on gas to prove that air really is there and to explore what would happen if there was no air. This links to their ‘states and matter’ topic in science.

“Additionally, the children will have investigated different rivers around the world linked to their rivers topic in geography. Therefore, the children will visit the fourth floor of the Catalyst Centre, which overlooks the River Mersey to observe the journey of a local river.”

Wayne Holder, EVC at Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School in Leicester, has organised a new trip this year which is sure to get children immersed in the world around them

He said: “Year 1 will visit the Attenborough Arboretum where pupils will be able to take part in activities which include wildlife hunts, outdoor storytelling and season spotting. 

There will also be more opportunities to get out in nature, with Wayne adding: “Our Year 6s will visit the Peak District to undertake an eight-mile walk across the amazing scenery. While walking, they will also work through the National Trust’s ’50 things to do before you’re 11 & 3/4’. The trip is always fun and the children enjoy getting out in the country air.  

“Year 3 will visit the National Stone Centre which is a great opportunity for them to look at fossils and understand how Britain looked in the past as well as get a hands-on experience with different types of rocks.”

Finally, Adam Higgins, science teacher at the Royal Liberty School in Essex, has been in touch to tell us about two new science experiences that he is thrilled to be sharing with his pupils.

He said: “For the first time this year we will be venturing out to the Williams F1 team headquarters in Oxfordshire with a group of year nine students. Here they will be able to quiz members of the team about the motor racing industry, tour the museum, take part in racing simulator experiences as well as a robotic STEM challenge.

“To have the opportunity to build value around STEM careers as well as make this a goal for them is a great opportunity. I really hope that this trip will allow further open aspirations of the students to go on to to study STEM subjects at higher levels as well as light a passion for a STEM career in the future.

“Also, once we saw The Moonwalkers exhibition in London, we knew that it was a must for our students. We have been fortunate enough to secure tickets for a number of Year 8 students to visit the immersive experience, learning more about the 12 men who walked on the moon. This is narrated by Tom Hanks and I am excited for them to learn more about the astronauts and hopefully have their story inspire the students to learn more about space exploration.”