Dear Parent/Carer,
Cultural Capital Day – Wednesday 4th December 2024
At the end of module 2, the Academy will partake in the first of three Cultural Capital events. Our Cultural Capital days and week (at the end of the academic year), are a true highlight of our Academy calendar. These days give students enriching experiences and the chance to participate in exciting activities outside of their usual classroom learning experience in line with National Curriculum guidance.
Cultural Capital days for Year 9 students will include a visit to a museum of specific cultural significance, linked to their MYP learning. Additionally, this first Cultural Capital Day for Year 9 has been curated to allow students to explore their GCSE options which will be made later this academic year. The first Cultural Capital Day of this academic year will be on Wednesday 4th December.
Cultural Capital days for Year 9 are some paid-for trips and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. The trips will be available to buy on ParentPay from Monday 11th November 2024. Paid-for trips are non-refundable and subject to our Academy’s Behaviour Policy. Students who do not select a paid-for trip will be allocated a place on one of the free museum trips.
Most trips will see students travel on public transport. Where there is a cost to travel this has been included in the price. All trips will commence at the Academy, and students will return to the Academy at the end of the trip so that they can be registered before being dismissed. If a trip returns before the end of the Academy day, students will be dismissed upon arrival. Any trip expected back later than the end of the Academy day is indicated below. All students should attend in their normal Academy uniform and are advised to wear appropriate winter travel clothing, suitable for colder December temperatures. They will also need to bring a packed lunch and students eligible for a Free School Meal will be provided with a packed lunch. Spending money for souvenirs is to be kept to a reasonable amount.
Cultural Capital Day trips assigned to Year 9 students are detailed below:
- National Courts of Justice at the Royal Courts of Justice Museum – £6.40
Based in the Royal Courts of Justice, home to the highest courts in the land, located in the City of London, students will immerse themselves in one of the UK’s oldest institutions of Law and Order. Their workshop will give students a first-hand understanding of the legal system and the chance to take on roles such as judge, barrister, defendant, witness, or juror. They will use real court cases and archive materials to explore topical themes and issues linked to their Values, History, and English curriculums. Due to the allocated time slot given to us by the museum, students allocated to this trip should arrive at school at 11.20am. Students will return to the Academy at approximately 4.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains, where students will be dismissed. - Victoria and Albert Museum – Free
The Victoria & Albert Museum is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects, books, and archives that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. Students will tour Britain’s Gallery, discovering the rich history of British art, design, and lifestyle, from the Tudor monarchs to the end of Queen Victoria’s reign. Students will return to the Academy at approximately 2pm, depending on the frequency of trains, where students will be dismissed. - Imperial War Museum, London – Free
This experience is part of the Year 9 history curriculum and will take students on a journey through the Second World War, looking at political decisions that impacted the lives of millions. Students will return to the Academy at approximately 2.20pm, depending on the frequency of trains, where students will be dismissed. - Churchill War Rooms – £7
A direct link to the Year 9 history curriculum and one for budding historians, the Churchill War Rooms will give students insight into the top-secret corridors and a glimpse into what life would have been like during the tense days and nights of the Second World War. Due to the allocated time slot given to us by the museum, students allocated to this trip should arrive at school at 10.30am. Students will arrive back at the Academy after the end of the Academy day, at approximately 3.30pm, where students will be dismissed. Please complete this Google Form to let us know how your child will make their way home from the Academy at the end of this trip. - Bletchley Park £23
Linking the curriculums of history, mathematics, science, and ICT, we have secured tickets to Bletchley Park House to visit the culturally significant site that housed the World War Two Enigma code-breaking machines. Bletchley Park was the home of Alan Turing (eponym of our very own Turing Small School), during his time working as a code-breaker throughout World War II. Students will have a bespoke workshop on code-breaking, developing teamwork, and real-life mathematics problem-solving skills. Due to the time needed to travel, students should arrive at the Academy at 7.45am, for an 8am departure. Students will arrive back at the Academy after the end of the Academy day, at approximately 5pm, depending on traffic. Please complete this Google Form to let us know how your child will make their way home from the Academy at the end of this trip. Payment for this trip will be available on Parent Pay and includes the cost of travel by coach.
If you have any questions about our Cultural Capital Days, please get in touch with a member of your child’s Small School team.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs H. Panton | Deputy Head of Turing School