Family Matters' School Trip Guide

A guide for teachers and organisers

SCHOOL TRIPS MADE EASY

Concise information from venues, residential centres, school workshops, educational tours and more.

School trips made easy

Welcome to your essential guide to successful school trips across the south west!

Hello, we know that organising school trips can be daunting, it’s a task no one wants which is why we’ve decided to make it as easy for you as possible by creating this handy guide.

Over the years of creating Family Matters, we’ve spoken to many schools, parents and attractions and the subject of school trips comes up frequently. We’ve found that many of the businesses we speak to find it difficult to advertise their facilities directly to teachers and other members of school staff. It’s a similar conversation that we end up having with you guys, you’re looking for new and exciting places to take your students to complement their everyday learning. That’s where we and, this guide, come in.

This guide features a whole host of attractions, from the fun to the purely educational. Flip through to find detailed descriptions allowing you to easily find the perfect destination for your students, whatever their age, academic key stage or ability. Our handy map will help you plan your journey and see what attractions are open to you. The useful key guide allows you to easily find crucial information at a glance, including disabled facilities, age suitability, activity type and whether the attraction actively supports the National Curriculum. You’ll even be able to find out more about the parking!

The south west is a fabulous place to visit full of diverse history and fun things to do with everything from science museums to dinosaur hunts to castles and theme parks. From the cities of Bath and Bristol with their wealth of learning opportunities, the coastal areas of Weston-super-Mare and into Dorset where you can easily combine a day at the beach with a lesson in geography and with the region’s many folk tales and myths, you can easily get the kids excited about ancient ruins and monuments and inspire them in subjects across the curriculum.

With our help, you’ll see that school trips don’t need to be hard to organise and finding new, interesting places to go doesn’t have to be stressful.

The family matter s team

School trips made easy

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School trips made easy

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Weston Museum

Steam Museum A visit to STEAM presents a great opportunity to engage young people with the history of transport, the impact of the railways, industrialisation, local history, engineering and figures of historical significance, including Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The Museum has a wide range of Discovery Sessions available covering National Curriculum topics such as: Victorian Britain, the coming of the railways and the Second World War.

Weston Museum is a hidden gem showcasing the history of North Somerset. Housed in a beautiful and distinctive historic building.

We tell the story of the town and the surrounding area from prehistoric times to the present day. Admission to the galleries is free and there is a variety of different learning offers to add on to your visit.

Bring your class to Weston Museum to visit the galleries and take part in an exciting, hands-on learning session.

Topics include: Fossils and Dinosaurs, Stone Age to Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romans, Saxons and Vikings, Victorian Weston, Victorian Seaside.

Discovery Sessions are available throughout the year and each one can accommodate up to 34 pupils at a time. All sessions promote engagement with learning through the handling of historical artefacts and ephemera, storytelling, using characters, costume, drama and role-play.

Planning a class display? Take part in an interactive session all about making displays, tailored around your subject and including an object handling activity.

Sessions are delivered by STEAM’s talented team of Formal Learning Officers, all qualified teachers, with DBS clearance, experienced at all Key Stages and in Special Needs.

Sessions are led by specialist teachers and can be tailored to suit your projects and key stage. Sessions can also be adapted for SEND by working with the museum Learning Officer. Prices start at just £50.

Twice a year, STEAM run its immersive wartime festival for schools; ‘We’ll Meet Again’. This unique event provides the opportunity for children to explore the sights and sounds of the Home Front. Displays are transformed to recreate the era of the Second World War and STEAM’s Learning Team dress in period costume to add to the wartime atmosphere.

To find out more, visit the Schools section of the museum’s website, call or email and discuss your plans with a Learning Officer.

Your class will meet the Air Raid Warden, hear how family life changed during the war, share the emotions of being evacuees, explore rationing and toys from the period and discover the role railways played in wartime.

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Pricing information From £50 to £140 per group

Website

Pricing information From £5.50 per pupil

Website

Opening times

Tuesday - Sunday, 10am – 5pm

Education booking contact name Katherine Bell or Sherry Coles

Opening times

Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm

Education booking contact name Gwen Pontefract

Telephone

01934 621028

Education booking contact email museum@wsm-tc.gov.uk

Telephone

01795 466640

Education booking contact email steameducation@swindon.gov.uk

Address

Burlington Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 1PR

Address

STEAM: Museum of the Great Western Railway, Firefly Avenue (off Kemble Drive), SWINDON SN2 2EY

www.westonmuseum.org

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Crealy

www.steam-museum.org.uk

Mojo Active Mojo Active, one of Bristol’s largest outdoor activity centres, provides school children with memorable activities and adventures which can be linked to the curriculum. Local schools visit Mojo to inspire their children with hands-on learning and activities which bring classroom topics to life. Mojo Active can tailor an activity session to meet the learning objectives of any topics and to date, Mojo school programmes have included the Vikings, Water, Forces, the Romans, Ancient Britain, World Wars, Countries, states of matter, mapping, Space, Forest school and much more.

At Crealy, we believe learning shouldn’t be boring! So we’re happy to welcome schools from all over Devon and beyond for educational visits that are stimulating, inspiring and, above all, fun!

When children are enjoying themselves, they learn more, so at Crealy we offer some of the best education activities in Devon, covering topics suitable for all schools including EYFS, primary school, secondary schools and schools with additional support.

With over 60 rides and attractions, there is no school trip like one to Crealy, and if the weather takes a turn for the worse then you can head indoors for more great all-weather entertainment - our special school days out offer plenty of fun whatever the weather!

Located in over 120 acres of private fields and woodland, with activities ranging from 400m military-style assault course, climbing wall, high and low ropes, zorb football, archery, archery tag, hay henge, cryptic orienteering course, nerf battle arena and our team-games field, Mojo Active has the facilities and trained instructors to ensure children gain the most out of their visit. Instructors are fully trained and have DBS clearance. Mojo Active can also offer schools minibus transport or alternatively bring activities to the school. Feedback from schools has been very positive with many schools booking termly activities.

To view all of our Educational packages visit www.crealy.co.uk/groups/schools

“Our Year Three class have enjoyed Mojo Active Forest school every week this term. They absolutely loved each activity and all children were always fully engaged and involved. As well as having huge amounts of fun, they learned important life skills such as fire safety, how to respect nature, how to work effectively as a team and even some survival tips! We wish we could come every week forever!” ST BERNARD’S PRIMARY.

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Pricing information From £8.99 per student

Website

Pricing information Starts from £10 per child excl. VAT

Website

Opening times

10am – 5pm

Education booking contact name Lyndsay Coombes

Opening times

8am – 6pm

Education booking contact name Mark Johnson

Telephone

01395 233200

Education booking contact email Lyndsay@crealy.co.uk

Telephone

01454 660075

Education booking contact email info@mojoactive.co.uk

Address

Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Sidmouth Road, Exeter EX5 1DR

Address

Mojo Active, Over Court Farm, Over Lane, Almondsbury BS32 4DF

www.crealy.co.uk

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Montacute House Montacute House is an excellent example of an unspoilt late Elizabethan mansion which contains a stunning collection of Tudor and early Jacobean portraits from the National Portrait Gallery.

All ages can be accommodated. Most groups take advantage of sessions led by Visitor Experience Volunteers, who can also support group leaders who want to self-lead. Groups are welcome to visit from early March to November. Taught sessions can be arranged any day Monday to Friday.

Key Stage 1 Programme – Houses and Homes: This programme consists of a volunteer-led tour of the main rooms in the house and incorporates hands-on activities. Children are encouraged to use the evidence around them to find out about a home in the past and how it differs from homes today. They also spend some time engaging with a large family portrait in the Long Gallery using costume props.

Key Stage 2 Programme – Tudors or local history study: This programme consists of a volunteer-led tour of the Tudor rooms in the house, including the portraits in the Long Gallery. The children are encouraged to question the evidence around them and come to their own conclusions about the lives of rich and poor Tudors. Montacute House was designed to impress and establish its owner’s status and power. Today, it can be used as the focus for a local history study.

Art focussed and literacy visits: Portrait focussed visits and activities in the Long Gallery across all Key Stages.

Pricing information From £5 (+VAT) per child

Website

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house

Opening times

See website for details

Education booking contact name

Hayley Henderson

Telephone

01935 823289

Education booking contact email

Hayley.henderson@nationaltrust.org.uk

Address

Montacute House, Montacute, Somerset TA15 6XP

www.mojoactive.co.uk/education

The Edge The Edge and Andrew Brownsword Gallery is an arts and creativity hub informed by the context and research of the University of Bath. We encourage and nurture arts/research collaborations, providing a place where artists, audiences, researchers and academics can find new perspectives and fertile ground to showcase new thinking and ideas. Here, mechanical engineers meet sculptors interested in moving structures, architects work with artists to shed new light on the nature of play and how architecture influences it.

Our year-round programme of exhibitions, performing arts presentations, talks, art classes, family and community events, provide experiences of educational, emotional and intellectual stimulus, all based around our ethos of bringing together arts, research and adventure. Our focus is on participatory programmes and our belief is that everyone can be creative and contribute. The state-ofthe-art Edge building offers a gallery, theatres, music and art studios.

We offer tours, talks and tailored workshops to groups from schools and colleges and is a fantastic opportunity for young people to engage with art, learning more about the exhibitions. You are also welcome to lead your own group around our gallery, we do however ask that you complete a booking form for all group visits. Upcoming exhibitions for 2020 include; Mariner: a painted ship upon a painted ocean, an exhibition inspired by Coleridge’s epic poem. Slow Painting, a Hayward Touring exhibition of paintings that take their time and invite us to do the same. Visions of Science showcases artworks that merge art and science.

Pricing information Free entry to exhibitions and free tours Website www.edgearts.org/schools-colleges/ (artist-led workshops from £150 per group) Opening times Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 5pm Education booking contact name Victoria Wastling Telephone 01225 386777 Education booking contact email edge-learning@bath.ac.uk Address Andrew Brownsword Gallery, The Edge, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY

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School trips made easy

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Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Stowford Manor Farm is a family owned and run working farm set around historic 15th century medieval buildings. The mixed-use 250 acre farm is set in the beautiful Frome Valley, and is host to environmentally and historically diverse and important sites. These include land used for arable and livestock production, wildflower meadows, ancient woodland, hedgerows and an archeologically significant abandoned medieval village.

There is so much you can see and experience during your time with us here at Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Spot birds, mammals and amphibians from wetlands across the world, as well as making time to stop off at some of our new exhibits; Arctic Adventure and the Estuary tower which overlooks the River Severn. Summer 2020 will see our new conservation themed Mission Possible exhibit open alongside the inspiring Living Wetland Theatre and Waterscapes Aviary. As part of any itinerary groups should allow time to watch one of our incredible bird demonstrations, see the otters being fed or hand feed some of our resident birds.

Set on the banks of the beautiful River Frome, which winds its way through the farm, is an award winning campsite and the location of what is believed to be the country’s oldest river swimming club.

Immersive, participative and risk-free experiences of nature are on offer throughout the year and can be enhanced by booking one of our curriculum linked sessions as part of a visit. These hands-on, minds-on workshops offer groups an exciting, real-life experience of nature, worlds apart from anything they can experience in the classroom. One recent visit said: “It was a great day. Lots of hands on experience for the children. The workshop was extremely well structured and catered for the needs of all children. Everything from booking, pre-visit and the actual day was very well organised.”

The site also boasts a lively creative community of arts and craft makers ranging from carpenters to glass-makers and artists. This diversity creates the site rich in opportunities for all educational groups.

Stowford Education Centre opened in September 2019. Run by an experienced fully qualified teacher, it acts as a base for groups to explore the farm, with kitchen facilities for cooking together, a lab for science experiments and a projector for classroom learning.

As one of the UK’s leading providers of outdoor education, we know that children learn best through real-life experiences. Our learning team love the work they do and are extremely passionate about engaging learners with the natural world. Come join us for an action packed day of exploration and discovery.

Pricing information From £3.10 per child Opening times Telephone Address

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Stowford Manor Farm

Stowford Education Centre welcomes students from nursery up to A-level. Students can come for a farm tour, a curriculum trip, a workshop in cooking, farming, crafts or a residential trip with activities partly organised by us and yourselves. Farm school is also on offer for students who could benefit from being out of the classroom and working on the farm 1 or 2 days a week. We aim to achieve physical and mental wellbeing through being outside and doing physical work.

Website

www.learningzone.wwt.org.uk/our-wetlandcentres/slimbridge 9.30am – 5pm (Nov–Mar), 9.30am – 5.30pm (Apr–Oct) Education booking contact name WWT Slimbridge Learning team 01453 891117 Education booking contact email education.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT

Pricing information Opening times Telephone Address

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Leap of Faith

From £9 per child Website By appointment only Education booking contact name 01225 752253 Education booking contact email Stowford Manor Farm, Wingfield, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 9LH

www.stowfordeducationcentre.co.uk Anna Bryant anna@stowfordmanorfarm.co.uk

The Victoria Art Gallery The Victoria Art Gallery is located in the centre of Bath, next to the famous Pulteney Bridge.

Our adventure centre is set within the beautiful Wild Place Project, where we offer team games, bush craft, orienteering and our high ropes course and loads of other activities.

The displays are on two floors. The permanent collection at the Victoria Art Gallery is free to visit and occupies two rooms on the first floor, whilst the ground floor contains two temporary exhibition spaces (small admission charge applies) which change every couple of months. Should you visit during an exhibition changeover, don’t forget that the displays on the first floor remain open as normal.

We offer half or a full days of exciting entertainment and learning alongside wildlife at the Wild Place Project. We can adjust our activities to suit your pupils’ ages and learning objectives.

Art is for everyone, because it helps us see the world in new ways. We provide a range of creative, interactive, fun and accessible activities for all ages.

From small groups to a whole school we can give your children an amazing experience (age 6+).

All our activities are overseen by our highly trained team of instructors. We build bespoke packages of activities which would give your students the chance to interact, bond and gain confidence in a fun and exciting environment. Our activities can also tie-in to Key Stage Learning objectives.

Our learning programme is closely linked to the national curriculum and is designed to encourage an interest in arts and crafts to last a lifetime.

The Victoria Art Gallery provides a range of interactive and accessible activities that are fun and you learn about art too!

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Pricing information From £16.50

Website

Opening times

10am – 5pm

Education booking contact email info@leapoffaith.co.uk

www.leapoffaith.co.uk

Telephone

01173 737531

Address

Leap of Faith, Wild Placer Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP

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Over Farm

Pricing information From £48 per group

Website

Opening times

10.30am - 5pm

Education booking contact name Group Sales office

www.victoriagal.org.uk

Telephone

01225 477785

Education booking contact email heritage_learning@bathnes.gov.uk

Address

Victoria Art Gallery,by Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AT

The Fashion Museum

We offer a ‘hands on’, interactive tour of the farm led by an experienced teacher. The focus can be on healthy eating, food and farming, or new for 2020, ‘Habitats’.

The Fashion Museum Bath holds a world-class collection of contemporary and historic dress and is housed in the magnificent Assembly Rooms. Information on admission charges, opening times, how to find us and facilities for families are included here.

Activities will include: an introduction to the farm in the cowbyre classroom; a tour of the machinery and tractors used to prepare for and harvest the crops; picking, tasting and interacting with the crops that are growing in the fields; interacting with and feeding a selection of farm animals; a visit to the shop with activities if requested and a tractor trailer ride.

Your Fashion Museum ticket includes an audioguide in one of twelve languages and a 30 minute Highlights Tour at 12.00 and 16.00 (March – October) and 12.00 and 15.00 (November – February) of our A History of Fashion in 100 Objects exhibition. (Tours run most days, subject to staff availability).

There is a secure, covered courtyard area for the children to eat lunch. We can accommodate up to 60 children per day from playgroup through Primary to Secondary.

A visit to the Fashion Museum often inspires a lifelong interest in textiles and creative crafting.

We operate from March to November. Monday to Thursday term time only.

We offer a range of visit options, from a teaching session to a self-guided visit. Our sessions cater for young people who are developing an interest in fashion and textiles.

Pricing information £6.00 Per pupil plus VAT [Full day] £4.50 per pupil plus VAT [half day] Opening times Monday - Thursday, 10am - 2.30pm Telephone 01452 387447 Address Over Farm, Gloucester GL2 8DB

Website

www.overfarm.co.uk

Education booking contact name Alyson Eckley Education booking contact email alyeck67@gmail.com

Our learning activities are closely linked to the national curriculum. We have a range of fun, interactive and accessible ways to learn.

Pricing information From £6.75 per child (20+)

Website

Opening times

10.30am - 5pm

Education booking contact name Group Sales office

www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

Telephone

01225 477785

Education booking contact email fashion_bookings@bathnes.gov.uk

Address

Fashion Museum, Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QH

Weston Museum

Crealy

Montacute House

STEAM Museum

MOJO Active

The Edge

Slimbridge

Leap of Faith

Over Farm

Stowford Manor Farm

Victoria Art Gallery

The Fashion Museum

Weston-superMare

Exeter

Montacute

Swindon

Almondsbury

Bath

Slimbridge

Bristol

Gloucester

Trowbridge

Bath

Bath

Day

Both

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Both

Day

Day

KS1 - KS2

Reception KS1 - KS2

EYFS - FE

KS1 - KS5

KS1 - KS2

KS1 - KS5

EYFS -FE

KS1 – KS4 (6+)

Pre School to KS3

Reception - A Level

KS1 - KS4

KS1 - KS4

National Curriculum linked

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Education officer on site

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Part time

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Town/City Day trip/residential or both Key stages

Tour available

Can be arranged

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Educational talks

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Can be arranged

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Resources pack

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Can be arranged

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Coach parking

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Drop off/pick up only

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Packed lunch area

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Meals available

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Risk assessment support available

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Free inspection visit

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After booking

After booking

LOtC Quality Badge

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AALA licence

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First Aid on site

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Free places for teachers

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Dependent

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Accessible toilets – not disabled toilets. Off road wheelchairs required for the fields.

Small transport can be provided for individuals to and from points.

Fully accessible.

Accessible toilets on every floor. People with disabilities or specific learning difficulties and additional support needs welcomed. Guide dogs allowed.

Disabled toilets.

Tarmacked main routes, compacted gravel minor routes. Wheelchair accessible. Electric scooter and manual wheelchair available (advance booking recommended).

Guide dogs allowed by prior arrangement.

- Self led - Guided

Accessibilty

Disabled toilet.

Wheelchair lift.

Ground floor learning space. Audio guides.

Disabled toilets. Manual wheelchair hire available.

Majority of paths flat and tarmacked. Wheelchair accessible restaurants and shops. Queue Assist Policy. Registered assistance dogs allowed.

Accessible toilets. Three wheelchairs available for use (first come first served basis).

Ground floor access only for wheelchair users.

Wheelchair available for use. Lift access to upper floors. Ramp to Evacuation Carriage.

Check directly with Leap of Faith.

Disabled toilet. Animals and shop wheelchair accessible.

Limited accessibility to fields.

As a working farm it is advised to visit in advance to check on accessibility needs.

Ramped entrance.

Wheelchair lift. Accessible toilet. Activities for disabled groups. Regular talks/handling sessions for visually impaired people. A sign language interpreter can be arranged.

Wheelchair available for use. Lift from ground floor to lower ground floor. Emergency exit ramp. Accessible toilet.

Hearing aid compatible audioguides.