Dear Parents/Carers,
At the end of Module 4, the Academy will take part in the second of three Cultural Capital events, offering all students experiences and the chance to participate in exciting activities outside of their usual classroom learning experience. Attendance at school on this day is compulsory as these trips form part of the National Curriculum, offering students a valuable insight into social, cultural and historical aspects of life now and in the past.
Students in Years 8 and 9 will be able to select from either one of three paid-for experiences, or be assigned a free museum trip. Paid for trips, all listed below, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and all payments should be made on ParentPay. Bookings for paid for trips will open at 9am on Monday 19th February and close at 5pm on Friday 22nd March. Payment for a trip will serve as parental consent for your child to attend the selected trip.
Most external trips will see students travel on public transport. There is no cost involved in the travel of students, as the Academy receives exemptions from Transport for London. Students will travel by coach on one trip and this has been factored into the total cost.
All trips will commence at the Academy, and students will return to the Academy at the end of the trip before being dismissed. If a trip returns in time for the end of the Academy day, students will be dismissed upon arrival. Where a trip is expected back later than our finishing time, you will be informed.
Unless indicated, all students should attend the Academy in their usual Academy uniform. Students are advised to bring appropriate winter travel clothing, suitable for unpredictable March temperatures. They will also need to bring their own packed lunch. Students who are 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.
The choices for Year 8 and 9 paid-for trips are as follows:
1) Bewl Activity Centre (Bewlbridge Ln TN3 8JH), 57 spaces, £44.05
Bewl Water Outdoor Centre is a fantastic centre in Kent for water-based and land activities. It is set alongside the largest inland water in the South East offering access to 800 acres of outstanding lake and countryside for outdoor learning. Students will be able to participate in activities such as, climbing, archery and axe throwing, paddle boarding and canoeing. The specific programme will be finalised by the centre in February. The cost of this trip includes travelling by coach.
For this activity, students should wear appropriate sports clothing and bring with them a change of clothes and footwear. Any specialist equipment will be provided by the centre. Parents will be contacted separately regarding the obligatory health and safety waivers required for their child to participate in the activities. Students will leave the Academy at 8am and travel via coach to the venue, returning to the Academy at approximately 5.30pm, depending on the traffic.
2) Centre of the Cell (London E1 2AT) 72 spaces, £5
For those keen to pursue a career in medicine, Centre of the Cell is a science education centre at Queen Mary, University of London. It is the first science education centre in the world to be located within working biomedical research laboratories. They have two distinctive learning Pods based at the Blizard Institute in Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, so visitors can see research scientists at work as they enter. Once inside, visitors will learn about the amazing world of cells, the human body and the latest medical research. Students should wear their full uniform. We will travel to the venue on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
3) London Dungeons (London, SE1 7PB), 50 spaces, £19.17
London Dungeons is one of London’s most popular attractions and is a fully immersive experience, taking students back in time to witness dramatic reenactments of significant moments in our history. Students should arrive at school for 9.35am. Students should wear their full uniform. We will travel to the London Dungeons on public transport. We aim to return to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of the trains. All students should attend school in full school uniform and are advised to bring appropriate outer clothing.
Students who do not select a paid-for trip will be assigned to one of the following visits or onsite activities:
IWM Holocaust Workshop (London, SE1 6HZ), (Year 9 only)
This experience is part of the Year 9 History curriculum. Students should wear their full uniform. Students will travel to the museum on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
The Ragged School Museum (London E3 4RR)
At this interactive museum, students will discover, through roleplay and object-handling sessions, what life would have been like for children their age in the Victorian Era. Students should wear their full uniform. Students will travel to the museum on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
The Victoria & Albert Museum (London, SW7 2RL)
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 should wear their full uniform. Students will travel to the museum on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
Voices for Equality, Onsite Workshop
A group of 30 preselected students will learn from the uniquely inspiring life and work of Anne Frank, using readings and video extracts from her diary. They will explore contemporary and historic forms of prejudice and discrimination, reflecting on the dangers if left unchallenged. They will be empowered to become voices for equality in your school and beyond. This workshop will be delivered in two consecutive, whole days on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th March.
Speakers Trust, Onsite Workshop (Year 8 only)
A group of preselected Year 8 students will continue their work with the Speakers Trust, following a visit to the Order of St John’s which will take place on 20th March.
Further details for each trip can be found on Parent Pay when all the trip payments go live.
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