With the start of the New Year there is always new beginning and plenty to look forward to. At last the nights are beginning to grow gradually shorter and the first shoots of spring are starting to appear. Now is the ideal time to plan a school trip to look forward to.  The idea gets everyone excited and helps to bring learning to life that will inspire your students and help them bond after what has been a difficult past two years. So make sure that you have planned into the school itinerary an educational visit whether it be for a week or simply a day trip, the benefits are immeasurable.

Here is a round up of what’s new and happening around the country.

NEW for schools this winter!

Woburn Safari Park, Bedfordshire
School groups visiting Woburn Safari Park in January or February 2022 now have the exciting opportunity to meet the giraffe in a new educational session.

As part of the African Adventure session, participating school groups will be taken behind-the-scenes into the giraffe house to meet the Rothschild’s giraffe herd up close.

Alongside getting to know the individual giraffes living at the safari park, students will also learn more about their behaviour and welfare throughout the session.

Available for both primary and secondary school children. The session will be linked to the curriculum and adapted for Key Stages 1 to 4, and is an option that can be selected for those booking the basic or enhanced school package.

School trips can be booked by contacting the Education Team on 01525 290991 or via email education@woburnsafari.co.uk.

Why visit Woburn on a school trip?

• Safari adventures by coach or bus as you travel through the Road Safari, coming face-to-face with a host of majestic animals
• Discover more in the Foot Safari and get up close to the animals in their walk-through enclosures
• Indoor and outdoor classrooms for fantastic learning experiences
• Watch a full programme of talks and demonstrations with penguins, wallabies, and birds of prey

You have the flexibility to choose your own adventure by selecting the school trip package and cost options that best suit you. All of our educational sessions can be adapted to suit the needs of your students.

For more information on school trips at Woburn Safari Park, visit Woburn Safari Park.

The City of York has always been a firm favourite with many schools, but you have to be quick as accommodation gets booked up fast. We recommend Hedley House Hotel is just a short walk from the city centre this well run hotel has been welcoming schools for over 20 years. They provide comfortable ensuite accommodation and excellent full or half board to suit your groups needs.

No other city in England has so many attractions within its city walls nor spanning so many centuries. From the history of the invasion of the Romans and Vikings to Chocolate and Railways York has so much to offer. Stay for a week or a few days there is plenty to see and do. Visit the Jorvik Viking Centre for an interactive journey back in time, their sister museum DIG, York Chocolate Story and the National Railway Museum or learn about York’s gruesome past with an evening walk with the Original Ghost Walk.

Celtic Harmony, Hertfordshire
Have just launched a new workshop that gives your students a creative journey through a million years of Prehistory Art. £22 / Student Adult Helpers FREE Ratio of 1 adult helper to 8 Children. A full day of hands-on challenges from 10am until 2.30pm/3pm for KS2
The day includes all materials and three artefacts that your pupils will make and be able to take home with them

The day begins with an introduction to the different periods of the Stone Age (Neolithic, Mesolithic and Palaeolithic) and Prehistory (Stone, Bronze and Iron) followed by a visit to their Palaeolithic Cave and Cave Painting Art Workshop, where you will “Make Your Own Bronze Age Beaker Pot”. This is followed by the 2500 Years of Metal and Torc Bracelet making Workshop.

Trade and Barter
The next part of the day is divided into two parts and involves role play, numeracy, history and imagination.

Part 1: your class will swap real artefacts as they role play as characters and use numerical problem solving in the trading game.

Part 2: your pupils will enjoy trading by swapping their pocket money for Celtic gold coins to trade for the more precious produce in the shop.

Here is what some schools have said about their visit.

“All activities were practical, packed full of historical facts, vocabulary rich! Brilliant!.” Jaclyn Orchant, Little Ealing

“All of the activities really helped to engage the children, consolidate what they have learnt and develop their knowledge and understanding.” Amie Macura, Oak Farm

“All activities were interactive and kept the attention of the children: accessible to ALL. Having our Prehistory leader as the expert and “in role” made the whole experience engaging and believable.” Miss Nurse, The Grove

For more ideas be sure to look out for our e-magazines and further blogs for more ideas.

Combine a visit to Bath and Bristol
It will be hard to decide what to leave out if you take a school trip to Bath and Bristol and the surrounding area. Aerospace Bristol, winner of the Best Museum in the 2020/21 School Travel Awards offers an inspiring and inspiration day out for science and engineering students. Noah’s Ark Zoo offers your pupils the opportunity to engage with nature and wildlife and a visit to the Roman Baths and Bristol Museums transports them back in time to learn everything from pre-history, the Romans throughout history to the present day.

For further ideas please look at our sample itineraries