Expeditions and Outings
At St Christopher’s, we believe that carefully selected and organised outings are an essential part of a child’s education. Every year group can expect to go on between three and six outings a year. The outings are chosen to enhance work covered in school. The children visit galleries, concert halls, historical sites, museums, theatres, parks and places of worship.
In the Autumn Term, pupils from Year 5 went to the local water treatment centre to support their science study on the water cycle. The children from Year 3 went to the British Museum to look at the Sutton Hoo exhibition which enriched their study of the Anglo-Saxons.
The Water Treatment Centre The British Museum
Children from Reception and Year 1 went to the National Trust Ashridge Estate where they enjoyed a ramble through the woods, collecting autumn leaves and spotting deer.
Year 3 and 4 visited the Iver Environmental Centre in where the children built bird feeders from recyclable materials, as well as finding their way to the centre of the maze.
Year 2 went to the Royal Mews. There they saw the state coaches used by the Royal family including the beautiful Golden State coach used for Royal Weddings. They had the opportunity to dress as footman in the Royal livery.
Residential Trips
In Year 4, children go on a weekend trip to a suitable residential centre and stay on site with two members of staff. Last summer the children went to a PGL centre in Liddington. For some children this is their first experience of staying away from home. Even though some are apprehensive about being away, they return full of exciting tales of achievements and often do not want the weekend to finish.
Senior pupils have the opportunity to go on a week-long trip. They leave school early on a Monday morning and return after school hours on the Friday. Last summer, children from Year 5 and 6 went to an activity centre located near Rouen in France. They spent a day in the historic city where they learnt about Joan of Arc and visited a cider farm, cheese factory and practised their French at the local market.
The cider factory Rouen On the coach
All trips, whether day trips or longer, are fully assessed in terms of risk, and all destinations are visited by a teacher before the trip takes place. Most trips are transported via coach, whilst a small number are organised with the assistance of TFL. This is very helpful training for the future, as we send pupils to schools necessitating tube travel almost every year.
