DENTIAL TRIPS
2025 - 2026
Welcome
Trips provide our students with incredible opportunities to enhance their learning beyond the classroom, explore topics beyond the curriculum, and deepen their understanding of the wider world. They also help students discover new interests, form new friendships, and strengthen existing ones. Many of our alumni fondly recall their trip experiences, highlighting the lasting memories they create. This guide aims to provide you and your child with as much information as possible to help you make informed decisions. While all details are correct at the time of publishing, please note that some specifics, such as flight times, are yet to be confirmed. Trip leaders will provide final details in due course. We look forward to offering more trips in the future and will update this guide as plans develop and details are confirmed.
How to book
ost on a Thursday at 5pm. This letter will provide an overview of ee categories: fications and included in fees.
demic or pastoral development. Proportional and reasonable g y
Optional Trips Entirely optional Recreational benefits that otherwise pupils may not experience. Fully funded by parents/students. me, first-served basis based on the receipt of payment/deposit via r Group Residentials, sufficient places will be available for all pupils to s once they have completed their final exams. ote that prices may be subject to change due to external factors. tions.
YMCA Lakeside
Plas y Brenin
Filey & Scarborough
St Joseph's Festival
Somme Region
Athens & Peloponnese
Andalucia
YMCA Lakeside
Val Thorens
Bletchley Park
Bay of Naples
Berlin
Iceland
North Yorkshire Moors
Rosslyn Park Rugby
YMCA Lakeside
Desirable Trip for Year 7 students
Staff Lead: Mrs K Lindley
Date: 17 - 19 September 2025
Price: £350
Tour provider/operator: YMCA
Learning Objectives: Transition/team building.
Overview
Year 7 will have a chance to get to know each other in a recreational setting with their Form Tutors. There are lots of exciting activities (for example, raft building, archery, challenge course, and abseiling) led by the fully qualified YMCA staff with WGHS staff support; students consistently report increased confidence and more secure friendships following this trip.It's a fantastic way to start Year 7!
Brenin
Desirable Trip for Year 5 students
Staff Lead: Mr J Tiffany
Date: 30th September - 3rd October 2025
Price: £425
Tour provider/operator: PYB
Learning Objectives: Students will develop teamwork sk independence, experience challenges, and enhance the development in settings beyond the school.
Overview
The Year 5 Residential is to the National Mountain Centre at Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig, Conwy, Wales, for a 4-day/3-night visit. This is a desirable trip where the boys will have the opportunity to develop their ability to work in a team, improve their independence, experience challenging adventurous activities and develop their social skills away from the school setting, all within the amazing Snowdonia National Park.
Fil & Scarborough
Essential Trip for Year 13 A-Level Biology students
Staff Lead: Dr S Barber
Date: 7 - 9 October 2025
Price: included in fees
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: The visit relates directly to the requirements of the subject specification.
Overview
This field trip is an opportunity to enrich students’ understanding of practical fieldwork, which is an essential component of A-Level Biology. During the field trip, students will be taught a number of ecological sampling techniques, as well as being introduced to the adaptations and physiology of a number of organisms found on a rocky shore. The field trip provides the ideal opportunity for students to complete their own independent study into a chosen aspect of rocky shore ecology which will contribute towards completing the practical skills endorsement of the A-Level Biology qualification.
Most of the field work will be carried out on the Brigg at Filey in North Yorkshire, but we stay in Scarborough at the Crown Spa Hotel. During free time, students have the opportunity to dine out in Scarborough.
St Joseph’s Festival
Optional Trip for Year 12 & 13 students
Staff Lead: Mr Cook
Date: October 2025
Price: £200
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: To provide pupils with an pupil’s resilience, communication and teamwo values of Care, Contribute and Aspire, compe
Overview
QEGS Rugby takes part in the prestigious St Joseph’s Rugby Festival — an internationally televised tournament that brings together some of the biggest and most competitive rugby schools in the UK. This elite event provides a unique opportunity for our players to test themselves against top-level opposition, pushing their skills, resilience, and teamwork to new heights. The experience not only challenges and stretches the pupils on the field but also helps shape them into disciplined, determined young athletes ready to compete on any stage.
Somme Region and Ypres Salient
Optional Trip for Years 10 & 11 students
Staff Lead: Mr D Binney
Date: 18th - 22nd October 2025
Price: £760
Tour provider/operator: European Study Tours
Learning Objectives: To develop GCSE students’ understanding of WW1 battlefields.
Overview
The Battlefield Trip is focused on GCSE History students as it will compliment their study of the WW1 Western Front Battlefield sites. The visit focuses upon the Somme region in France and the Ypres area in Belgium. Both these areas were key parts of the WW1 conflict and by visiting the battle sites and accompanying museums the students will have a much greater understanding of the events of WW1.
Athens & The Peloponnese
Optional Trip for Years 10-13 Foundation students
Staff Lead: Mr M Ellard
Date: 20 - 26 October 2025
Price: £1500
Tour provider/operator: Nimrod
Learning Objectives: See sites prescribed in GCSE/A-Level Classics courses.
Overview
This trip gives Classics students the chance to visit and study the art and architecture that features heavily in the GCSE and A-Level Classics courses. The trip is also relevant to those studying ancient languages who can immerse themselves in the world inhabited by the authors they read. The trip has also been enjoyed by students interested in related areas, like Art and Architecture, and History.
Andalucía
Optional Trip for Years 10-13 MFL students
Staff Lead: Ms Donau-Green
Date: 21-24 October 2025
Price: £850
Tour provider/operator: SLT Tours
Learning Objectives: Spanish language and culture. Attending a language school. Immersion. Homestays.
Overview
This 5-day joint trip to Benalmádena and Andalucía has proven to be a fantastic success over the years. It is a unique opportunity for your child to fully immerse themselves in Spanish life, develop and deepen their Spanish language skills, and discover this beautiful historic region through first hand experiences.Accommodation with vetted host families guarantees a great deal of benefit.
YMCA Lakeside
Desirable Trip for Year 7 students
Staff Lead: Mrs S Roberts
Date: 5-7 November 2025
Price: £352
Tour provider/operator: YMCA
Learning Objectives: Transition/team building.
Overview
We will be taking all of Year 7 to the YMCA National Centre, Lakeside, hidden within 400 acres of private woodland along the south western shores of Lake Windermere. The purpose of the visit is to aid transition and help build a ‘team’ mentality within each form. This is the perfect opportunity for the pupils to get to know each other and us in a relaxed and informal setting.
Val Thorens
Optional Trip for Years 5-10 students
ng skills.
Overview
The ski trip is a well-established part of the school’s winter calendar.
Travelling to Val Thorens, the highest resort in Western Europe with guaranteed snow, provides the opportunity for students to develop their skiing skills on some of the finest runs in the world.
As a through-school trip, it also allows students to spend a week with peers from a number of different year groups, understand their experiences, and develop friendships that will last well beyond their time at school.
ark & Milton Keynes
Desirable Trip for Year 10 Foundation students
Staff Lead: Mr P McWilliam
Date: October 2025
Price: £175
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: Further study for Computer Science GCSE.
Overview
This residential educational visit includes a trip to The National Museum of Computing and Bletchley Park, with an overnight stay in a Premier Inn and a visit to Xscape in Milton Keynes. The itinerary offers classroom enrichment in cryptography, encryption, VR, and programming, alongside historical immersion in early computing and the function of Bletchley Park during WW2.
of Naples
Optional Trip for Year 8 students
Staff Lead: Mr J Hargreaves
Date: February Half Term 2026
Price: £1000
Tour provider/operator: Nimrod Festivals and Tours
Learning Objectives: See sites associated with Classics courses at KS3/GCSE/A-Level and learn to travel independently.
Overview
A well-established trip to see the remains of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the National Archaeological Museum in Naples where lots of the amazing finds from the sites are displayed. We also take students to see a selection of the lesser known sites such as the farming villa at Boscoreale, and the luxurious country villas at Stabiae and Oplontis. These sites often feature in KS4 and 5 exam courses so this is a great opportunity to see these first hand and to deepen your interest in the classical world.
Optional Trip for Year 9 -13 Foundation students
Staff Lead: Mrs H Cowan/Mrs E Lister
Date: 13-16 February 2026
Price: £1000
Tour provider/operator: NST
Learning Objectives: GCSE & A-Level German.
Overview
We aim to give pupils the opportunity to practise their German in real life situations as well as discover the cultural & historical aspects of this fascinating city. We will be staying in a centrally located hotel and intend to visit the famous Berlin wall, Brandenburg Gate & the Reichstag as well as museums which cover topics on the A-Level syllabus. We will eat in local restaurants in the evening & take part in social events in the evening such as bowling.
Optional Trip for Years 10-13 students
aff Lead: Mr J Ryding
ate:15 - 20 February 2026
ice: £1675, full board
our provider/operator: Kipling Tours
earning Objectives: To develop - resilience, teamwork, ommunication skills, enjoyment.
Overview
et ready for another Icelandic adventure! After a hugely popular trip in Easter 24, WGHS will be returning to Iceland in February 2026. This time, students will ve the chance to experience the iconic Golden Circle, the Secret Lagoon, a rilling glacier hike, captivating lava caves, the 'Into The Glacier' tour, and a visit the rarely seen Westman Islands. More information will be sent home in our eekly parent email after the May half-term. Geography students will have priority oking, followed by other interested Year 10-13 students.
Essential Trip for Year 12 A-Level Geography students
Staff Lead: Mr R Tribe
Date: 3rd - 6th February 2026
Price: included in fees
Tour provider/operator: Crandale / WGSF
Learning Objectives: Required fieldwork for NEA.
Overview
This compulsory residential field trip to Cranedale Field Studies Centre in Malton, North Yorkshire, is an opportunity to enrich students' understanding of practical fieldwork in both human and physical aspects of the course and is an essential component of A-level Geography. The course is full board and will provide A-Level students with practical fieldwork skills, which they will use in the Non-Examined Assessment project that makes up 20% of the final A-Level marks.
Rosslyn Park 7s Rugby
Optional Trip for Years 9-13 students
Staff Lead: Mr S Cook
Date: March 2026
Price: £190
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: To provide pupils with an enriching experience, develop pupils’ resilience, communication and teamwork skills, fulfil all 3 of the schools values of Care, Contribute and Aspire, compete at a National level in Rugby.
Overview
The QEGS U14, U16, and U18 Rugby teams will compete in the world-renowned Rosslyn Park National School Sevens, the largest organised rugby tournament on the planet. Bringing together thousands of players from schools across the UK and beyond, this iconic event will be a true test of skill, endurance, and teamwork at every level.
Facing elite opposition in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, our players will rise to the challenge, showcasing the QEGS brand of rugby with pride, passion, and resilience. The tournament will not only stretch each squad physically and mentally but will also offer a unique opportunity to grow as players and as teams.
Competing on such a grand stage will be an unforgettable experience for all involved and a valuable milestone in the continued development of our rugby programme.
Calidcott 10s Rugby
Optional Trip for Year 8 students
Staff Lead: Mr S Cook
Date: March 2026
Price: £120
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: To provide pupils with an enriching experience, develop pupils’ resilience, communication and teamwork skills, fulfil all 3 of the schools values of Care, Contribute and Aspire, compete at a National level in Rugby.
Overview
The QEGS U13 Rugby team will take part in the prestigious Caldicott Rugby Festival, a highly competitive and nationally recognised tournament that attracts some of the strongest prep school teams from across the UK. Last year’s event even featured academy teams from France and Dubai, highlighting the tournament’s growing international reputation. This elite competition will push our young players to step up, testing their skill, resilience, and teamwork against top-tier opposition. The boys will embrace the challenge, growing both individually and collectively, and gaining invaluable experience on and off the field. It will be a fantastic opportunity that continues to shape their development
committed and ambitious
Rugby - U18's Tour
Optional Trip for Year 10 students
Staff Lead: Mr S Cook
Date: March 2026
Price: £150
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: To provide pupils with an enriching experience, develop pupils’ resilience, communication and teamwork skills, fulfil all 3 of the schools values of Care, Contribute and Aspire, compete at a National level in Rugby.
Overview
The QEGS U18 Rugby team will travel to the stunning Lake District to take part in the renowned Sedbergh 10s Tournament a prestigious end-of-season event that brings together some of the country’s strongest rugby schools. Played in a competitive ten-a-side format, the tournament will offer a fast-paced and physically demanding challenge, providing a fitting finale to the school rugby calendar.
This tour will be a celebration of the squad’s commitment and progress throughout the season. Players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, strengthen team bonds during the overnight stay, and reflect on their development both on and off the pitch.
Representing QEGS at Sedbergh 10s will mark a proud and memorable conclusion to the U18s’ school rugby journey — an experience defined by quality rugby, camaraderie, and shared achievement.
Ski Trip
Optional Trip for Years 7-11 students
Staff Lead: Dr M Durrell
Date: 28th March - 3rd April 2026
Price: approximately £1800
Tour provider/operator: Maxski
Learning Objectives: To build friendships and take part in ski activities.
Overview
We welcome skiers of all abilities and this is an excellent opportunity to improve or learn to ski and holiday with friends. We will travel by air from a Northern airport to Italy, ski in the Folgarida resort and stay in the Hotel Derby.
The trip includes a return coach and air travel from School to Folgarida, 7 nights' full board accommodation, 6 days' professional ski lessons for 4 hours per day, 6 days' lift pass, 6 days' hire of boots, skis, poles and helmets, a full evening entertainment package and ice skating (subject to weather conditions), full insurance cover and a Max Ski rep.
Desirable Trip for Year 6 students
Staff Lead: Miss K Grundy
Date: 14-16th May 2025
Price: £315
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: Transition/team building.
Overview , Hope Valley
Year 6 residential: a 2 night, 3 day trip to Edale (Peak District) to develop personal skills such as collaboration, risk-taking, resilience, confidence, and perseverance through a variety of different activities. These activities include both individual and teamwork challenges.
Robinwood Activity Centre
Desirable Trip for Year 4 students
Please note: At the time of publishing we are exploring the option of having a joint (QJ/WJ) Y4 residential visit, we will let parents know when plans are finalised before the end of the summer term.
Staff Lead: Mr G Lewis
Date: May 2026
Price: £390
Tour provider/operator: Robinwood Activity Centre
Learning Objectives: To develop - resilience, teamwork, communication skills, enjoyment.
Overview
Robinwood in Maes-y-Nant, North Wales. Robinwood, established in 1994, is a highly recommended activity centre and the three day course we have selected for the boys sounds fantastic. Across the three days the boys will participate in 15 high quality activities which can be enjoyed in any weather.
We know that this is going to be an incredible opportunity for the boys to develop their team work, resilience, communication skills, leadership qualities, empathy and much much, more whilst having a fantastic time.
Bushcraft at Castle Howard
Optional Trip for Year 6 students
or: The Bushcraft Co Student bonding and outdoor skills.
Overview
Year 6 residential. 2 nights, 3 days of outdoor adventure and fun. A chance for our boys to push themselves out of their comfort zones and experience the great outdoors.
Desirable Trip for Year 3 students
Staff Lead: Mr G Lewis
Date: April/May 2026
Price: £240
Tour provider/operator: York Time Travel
Learning Objectives: To develop - resilience, teamwork, communication skills, enjoyment.
Overview
Students enjoy a one night residential visit to York to immerse themselves in the rich history of the city and learn more about the Viking invasions in the North of England, enriching their understanding of their Invaders and Settlers topic in their History lessons.
On the first day they visit the Dig, where they learn about artefacts which tell us more about the past and they have the chance to simulate an archaeological dig at a Viking site. They then visit the Jorvik Viking Centre where they take a journey through a reconstruction of a realistic Viking settlement, watch a coin being ‘struck’ and investigate some of the recently discovered treasures and jewellery on show in the museum.
Later on, there is a Viking-themed evening with songs, sagas and dressing up with bushy Viking beards, followed by a good night’s sleep. The following day, students travel to Danelaw Viking Village at Murton Park, where they spend the day living as Vikings! They stay in a Viking village where everyone wears clothes resembling those worn by Vikings (including the teachers), guard against Saxon raiders and get to work doing jobs such as bread making and pottery.
ood Activity Centre
Desirable Trip for Year 5 students
Staff Lead: Mr A Bray
Date: April / May 2026
Price: £ 355
Tour provider/operator: Robinwood Activity Centre
Learning Objectives: To develop - resilience, teamwork, communication skills, enjoyment.
Overview
This 2 night residential trip has been organised to work in tandem with our values that are intrinsically taught throughout school life here at WGHS. Skills such as resilience, communication, risk taking and coordination are all vital qualities in any future career; learning to harness these is integral to becoming an empowered, responsible young adult. Robinwood Activity Centre is the perfect place to help reinforce these concepts - learning outside the classroom offers new and exciting challenges. Children will learn to work together as a team, develop independence, confidence and an ability to recognise strengths and weaknesses in a constructive way.
Cliffe House Activity Centre
Desirable Trip for Year 2 children
Staff Lead: Mrs J Taylor
Date: May 2026
Price: £ 115
Tour provider/operator: Cliffe House Activity Centre
Learning Objectives: To develop - resillience, teamwork, communication skills, enjoyment.
Overview
A one night Residential in Shepley, Huddersfield staying at the Cliffe
House acitivity centre. During the visit children will get to experience team building activities and forest school activities including: climbing wall, pond dipping, cooking on a fire.
Essential Trip for Year 12 students
Staff Lead: Mr D Higgins / Dr S Barber
Date: June 2026
Price: included in fees
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: To carry out required practical 12 of the A-level Biology specification. (and part of the practical skills endorsement)
Overview
A teacher-led 3 day field trip to North Wales. Year 12 students learn ecological sampling techniques before designing and carry out their own ecological investigation. Accommodation at Bangor University halls of residence, travel by minibus. Exact dates TBC depending on tide times, parents' evenings etc.
Desirable Trip for all Year 4 students
Please note: At the time of publishing we are exploring the option of having a joint (QJ/WJ) Y4 residential visit, we will let parents know when plans are finalised before the end of the summer term.
Staff Lead: Mrs V Hutchinson / Mr S Rowley
Date: June 2026
Price: £140
Tour provider/operator: WGSF
Learning Objectives: This visit relates to topics learnt about in Geography and Science.
Overview
One night residential to Whitby. Year 4 consider the physical and human features o Whitby and compare it to their local area and India. Year 4 also link the visit to the learning about local animals and plants as they explore different habitats.
Optional Trip for Year 8 & 9 students
Staff Lead: Mrs D Walker
Date: 26th - 29th June 2026
Price: £750
Tour provider/operator: PGL
Learning Objectives: To practise the language. Get to know the city.
Experience French food and culture
Overview
A long weekend away, travel by coach and ferry staying at Chateau de Grande Romaine where all meals are provided. Includes one day of sightseeing in Paris and a day at a theme park.
Sports Tour to South Africa
Optional Trip for Years 11 to 13 students
Staff Lead: Mrs K Hunter
Date: 8/9 July - 21/22 July 2026
Price: approximately £3350, full board
Tour provider/operator: InspireSport
Learning Objectives: To develop - resilience, teamwork, communication skills, enjoyment.
Overview
We are excited to announce plans for a 12 night, 13 day Sports Tour to South Africa in 2026. The trip will include sporting fixtures in Netball, Hockey and Volleyball. Students who participate in any of these sports teams during the academic year of 2025-26 will be eligible to attend (Year 11-13 only). Although all details have yet to be finalised, it is estimated that it will depart on 8/9th July 2026. In addition to the sports fixtures, the tour will also include lots of exciting excursions, such as a two day safari, a tour of Robben Island and a visit to the Apartheid museum, a Cape Point Tour including Boulders Beach and an excursion to Table Top mountain.
Africa
Optional Trip for Years 10 to 12 students
nd Johannesberg where students can rica. Also the opportunity to observe Kruger National Park. Students will also the region, with visits to the Apartheid wildlife of South Africa.
Athens
Optional Trip for Year 12 students
Staff Lead: Mr A Pesterfield
Date: 17-24 August 2026
Price: £1475
Tour provider/operator: Activ4
Learning Objectives: To take part in water sports activities and explore the history and culture of Athens.
Overview
Join us for an unforgettable 7-day adventure in Corinthia, Greece! This exciting school trip combines rich history, thrilling watersports, and beautiful coastal landscapes. Our journey includes a day trip to Athens, where you'll explore the iconic Acropolis and the historic Olympic Stadium. Spend three action-packed days at the Ypanema Beach Club, enjoying a variety of watersports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Loutraki lagoon.
You'll have the chance to relax and unwind on stunning beaches as well as enjoy the thrills of the local waterpark. Whether you're diving into Greek culture or riding the waves, this trip is an experience you won’t want to miss!
