QE Residential Trips Programme 2024 - 2027
To foster a spirit of adventure and discovery
Dear students, parents and guardians,
I am delighted to introduce the Co-Curricular Residential Trips brochure for 2024 - 2027, which outlines our intended residential trip provision for the next 3 years for students in Year 5 - 13, and which offers a rich and diverse range of opportunities for students to take part in and enjoy.
Part of our Co-Curricular aim is for students to immerse themselves in opportunities for Cultural Exploration, where they gain a desire to explore the world and develop understanding and empathy. At QE, we strive for students to become globally aware and make the most of opportunities to explore, become independent travellers, and gain a deeper understanding of diversity and global culture.
As you browse through this brochure, you will see residential trips for students across a broad range of subject areas. For example, there are trips linked to Languages, The Performing and Creative Arts, Geography, History, Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Sport.
The brochure is an exciting celebration of the diverse residential trip offering at QE, which offers a cultural and immersive experience for all our students, where long-lasting memories and friendships are made.
Parents/Guardians will be sent a detailed email about each of these trips and asked to provide consent, as appropriate, once each trip is launched and the consent window is opened.
We hope you enjoy exploring the options available and we look forward to welcoming students on some of these beneficial and worthwhile experiences.
Matt Clayton Head of Co-Curricular
QE Residential Trips Programme 2024/25
To foster a spirit of adventure and discovery
QE Residential Trips 2024/25
Autumn Term
UK Residentials
Christmas Shopping, Chester Years 8 - 13 29 - 1 Nov/Dec
Overseas Residentials
A chance for Christmas shopping in the charming city of Chester Under £500
CERN, Switzerland Years 10 - 13 25 - 28 November Spaces only available on the reserve list Under £1000
Festive Ski, Bormio, Italy Years 6 - 13 15 - 21 December
Spring Term
UK Residentials
Spaces only available on the reserve list Under £2000
Freuds Psychology, London Years 10 - 13 1 - 3 nights March Delve into the mind of Freud, aimed at students studying Psychology Under £500 Shakespeare & Castles, Stratford Years 6 - 13
See the culture and history of the south of the UK, including Shakespeare’s Houses & Warwick castle Under £1000
Overseas Residentials
Iceland Adventure, Iceland Years 10 - 13 22 - 25 January
Venetian Valentine, Venice Years 6 - 13 February Half Term
Spaces only available on the reserve list Under £1500
A cultural and sightseeing trip to Venice, taking in a unique blend of history, art, and romance Under £1000
German Exchange, Berlin Years 9 - 13 25 - 30 March Cultural language exchange, aimed at students studying German language Under £1000
Beautiful Barcelona, Spain Years 8 - 13
nights
Holiday Sightseeing and cultural exploration in the beautiful city of Barcelona Under £1500
QE Residential Trips 2024/25
Overseas Residentials
QE Residential Trips 2024/25
QE Residential Trips Programme 2025/26
To foster a spirit of adventure and discovery
QE Residential Trips 2025/26
UK Residentials
Spain
Autumn Term Spring Term
A tour of the terrific theme parks in the UK, perfect for thrillseekers Under £500
A chance to explore the London sights and do some Christmas shopping in the UK’s capital, London
Overseas Residentials
A cultural and sightseeing trip to Lisbon, Portugal
STEM focused trip to Florida, including Orlando and the Kennedy Space Centre Under £4000
A cultural and sightseeing trip including visits to Estudio Sampere Spanish School in Madrid, Spain, aimed at students studying Spanish Under £2000 Helsinki, Finland
8 - 13
6 - 13
A cultural and sightseeing trip to Helsinki, Finland, focusing on the Creative Arts and exploring the Christmas Markets Under £2000
The ultimate challenge for accomplished skiers, taking on teams from around Britain in an adrenaline-fuelled week of competition that will build on skills, resilience and confidence Under £2000
UK Residentials
QE Residential Trips 2025/26
Overseas Residentials Spring Term
Disneyland Paris, France Years 10 - 13 1 - 3 nights February Apply theory in a real world setting at Disneyland Paris with academic subject pathways Under £1500
Elephant Nature Park, Thailand Years 9 - 13 4+ nights February Half Term
Skiing, Europe Years 6 - 13 4+ nights February Half Term
Battlefields, France & Belgium Years 9 - 13 1 - 3 nights March
New York, USA Years 10 - 13 4+ nights Easter Holiday
Summer Term
UK Residentials
Overseas Residentials
Learn about the conservation of elephants in Thailand and spend time caring for these gentle giants Under £3500
Slalom down the slopes on the annual school ski trip, suitable for beginners to advanced skiers Under £2500
Connect to history and explore sites of significance on the WW1 Western Front Under £1500
A cultural and sightseeing trip to New York, USA with potential academic subject pathways Under £3500
QE Residential Trips 2024/25
Summer Term
Overseas Residentials
Milan, Spain
To foster a spirit of adventure and discovery
QE Residential Trips Programme
2026/27
To foster a spirit of adventure and discovery
QE Residential Trips 2026/27
UK Residentials
Overseas Residentials
QE Residential Trips 2026/27
QE Residential Trips 2026/27
Overseas Residentials
To foster a spirit of adventure and discovery
FAQ’s
Are all residential trips included within this brochure?
This brochure provides a comprehensive guide to the projected residential trips taking place over the next three academic years However, it should be used as a guide as the anticipated planned date/month may change and additional trips may also be introduced to the trips programme, in response to demand and any new opportunities that may arise Please note, Sports Tours/Competitions, Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award trip dates beyond 2024-25 will be released on a year-by-year basis
Will all these residential trips take place and will they be within the published price bracket?
All of our trips at QE require a minimum number of places to be filled before they can proceed In some instances, our trips are oversubscribed and some students find themselves on a reserve list. Although we aim to run all of the trips contained within this brochure, some may be rescheduled or cancelled, dependent on availability, demand or environmental/localised risks.
Are the trips contained within this brochure compulsory?
Residential visits at Queen Ethelburga’s are an important and integral part of school life which are celebrated within our THRIVE Enrichment aim, to foster a spirit of adventure and discovery. We encourage students at Queen Ethelburga’s to become globally aware and strive for them to have beneficial experiences, make the most of opportunities to explore and become independent travellers who gain a deeper understanding of diversity and global culture The opportunities are therefore extremely beneficial but are not compulsory and applications should be made by parents/guardians in conjunction with their child, after careful consideration of the trip purpose, demands and benefits
How do I apply for my child to join a residential trip?
A letter for each residential trip will be sent to parents of eligible year groups closer to the trip departure date, detailing the trip purpose and demands, the provisional itinerary and associated costs It is important that your child is aware of the nature of the trip and what it involves so they are happy to participate and fully immerse themselves in the opportunity The letters will be sent via our Trip and Event Planning Platform (EVOLVE) and an application and consent form will be contained within the letter.
How do I know if my child has a place on a residential trip?
Applications for a place on a trip will be reviewed by the Trip Leader and the relevant Boarding, Co-Curricular, Pastoral and School Team, who will consider a variety of factors to confirm places This includes, but is not limited to, the number of places, accommodation configurations and the student’s conduct in school and/or boarding The parents of all applicants will be sent a letter via EVOLVE once all places are filled Please note this may take a number of weeks, however, should be shortly after the deadline for applications closes When a trip is oversubscribed, and it is not possible to increase the number of places, unsuccessful applicants will be notified that they have been added to a reserve list and contacted if a place becomes available.
When will I be financially committed to a residential trip?
Once your application for a place on a residential trip is received and if your child is subsequently given a place on the trip, you will be financially committed to the trip and it may not be possible to withdraw from the trip. In this instance, the charges would remain on your school account
What happens if I wish to withdraw my child from a residential trip?
Should you wish to withdraw your child from a residential trip, please email QETrips@qe.org as soon as possible The Trips Team will always endeavour to find replacement; however, this cannot be guaranteed and is not always possible. Therefore, please discuss the merits and benefits of each trip with your child before submitting an application and consent from Only if a replacement student can be sourced in good time will a refund be possible. For some trips, this may incur a flight name change charge.
If my child attends a residential trip, will I receive updates about their participation?
All parents/guardians who have submitted an application and consent form for a trip will receive a letter confirming their child’s place on the trip or the trip reserve list, a letter confirming pre-departure information including a packing list and a communication plan with the three dedicated emergency contacts for each trip Parents/guardians will also receive updates during the trip, including when a residential trip arrives at its destination and back to QE In addition, a mid-week email update will be sent, with further details and photographs available on the QE social media platforms, where possible during a trip
Important Information
Student Code of Conduct
For all our residential trips, students will be asked to read and sign the Student Code of Conduct which reinforces the Collegiate expectations for engagement in the trip itinerary and behaviour Such expectations are well-explained to students in the lead up to the trip to ensure their participation is safe and enjoyable. Should your child fail to adhere to the Code of Conduct this may result in the Trip Leader sending them home at cost to parents/guardians.
Please note that if a student receives a gating in boarding for misconduct or they regularly fail to meet the basic expectations in school for attendance and/or conduct they will be ineligible to attend a residential trip for the rest of the academic year Should this occur once consent has been received and places confirmed for a trip then the student will not be allowed to attend the trip and unfortunately no refund will be possible.
VISAs and Passport Validity
International students may be required to obtain a VISA for overseas residential trips In some instances, QE may strongly recommend or require that a VISA is obtained. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact the relevant embassy, to secure a VISA appointment and to pay for any travel document required for each trip, such as VISAs, Passports and Health Cards. These are not included in the cost of the trip
When providing consent for an overseas residential trip, please ensure that your child has a valid passport which has the required number of months remaining, typically 3 or 6 months, dependent on the destination of the trip Please check your child's passport expiry date The passport should also be issued less than 10 years (5 years for a child passport) before the date you enter the country (please check your passport ‘date of issue’)
All passport holders should check the rules regarding passport validity with the passport office of their respective country and the requirements of the trip destination
Travel Insurance and Health Insurance (EHIC/GHICs)
QE will purchase trip travel insurance for the group should there be any unexpected travel/medical costs that could be incurred during the visit, this is included in the cost of the trips All EU students must carry an in-date European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if still valid, or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for the duration of their residential trip and it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to source this
Vaccinations
We will confirm if there are any required or recommended vaccinations to enter the trip destination in the detailed letter We always recommend keeping up to date with the most recent advice regarding travel to the relevant country via the relevant government travel advice website.
Contact Information
If you have any queries, please contact our dedicated Trips Team via QETrips@qe.org.