School day trips – How to get the most out of one day away
It’s amazing how much you can achieve in a mere seven hours out of the classroom, if you plan things right, says Virginia Smith…
School trips and learning outside of the classroom more generally is a vital part of education across the key stages. A visit beyond the school gates can really enrich students’ understanding whatever the topic, and there are many options out there that are ideal for a day out.
Museums, art galleries, zoos, parks, community projects… the list goes on, and all of them offer an alternative and complementary approach to learning.
It’s a sad fact that these days, with so much technology around the home, children are spending less time out of the house at educational settings, so day trips that support school learning can really broaden horizons by giving them a chance to visit places they might not otherwise get to see.
Make a day of it!
Day trips tend to be cheaper than residential trips, and they’re certainly less stressful to organise! They nevertheless offer a great bonding opportunity for students and can have a positive impact on their social skills.
When placed in a new and unfamiliar environment, most children will demonstrate that they can behave more maturely than they would in class, and they will probably enjoy the chance to be more independent.
Just as importantly, a day away from school breaks up the learning routine and sees children taught in an alternative, and engaging, way.
Trips invariably generate lots of excitement in the weeks and days leading up to them, and when the big day comes they can help put any subject into context, enabling students to enjoy it more and better understand it.
Keep it real
Research has proven how real experiences can be far more powerful than merely reading about something in a textbook. Children, like adults, dislike ‘death by PowerPoint’ and lengthy, sleep-inducing lectures.
Key skills are learned better by actual ‘doing’, and school trips provide real-life experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom.
Humans build their knowledge using a scaffolding process, layering life experiences with classroom learning. When approaching a new subject or task, we respond best when we can try it first-hand and then apply the theoretical learning.
At Brooklands we favour a holistic approach to each key stage of learning: students can physically touch, test, manipulate and control outcomes, combine manual skills with technology, and have open discussions with their peers to arrive at solutions.
We run a series of workshops aimed at secondary school students that link directly with the curriculum. Children can learn and practise skills relating to many different subjects, such as documenting their visit by creating their own science film or bending, rolling and riveting metal.
They can design their own aircraft, considering the different fuels and materials available.
Do they use wood, metal, bamboo or silk? Different decisions will affect the outcomes. How many engines will the aircraft have? Will it be self-piloted?
Another popular option is our Chat & Learn cards. These self-guided learning resources get students to think about the issues that the aviation industry has faced over the last century.
From environmental impact and carbon footprint to social impact – how would an engineer building machines intended for war feel? These sessions prompt discussion and debate amongst students.
Planning your trip
Day trips away from the classroom need significant research and coordination, and planning a good one can be challenging. How do you choose a destination that will fit in with your required key learnings and keep your children engaged?
Here are some tips on what to consider to make sure you get the most out of the experience…
1 | Choose a site with a variety of learning platforms
Whilst the main criteria of your chosen venue will be that it matches your current curriculum theme, a site that has multiple ways of delivering messages – eg through workshops, talks, technology and hands-on activities – is very advantageous.
2 | Explore what’s on your doorstep
You don’t always need to travel far to find an appropriate setting for your trip. Whilst saving on travelling time and costs, staying nearby engages students with their local history and community.
3 | Consider special needs or requirements
When planning a visit, it’s vital to assess the capability of a venue to cater for special access or learning needs. Lots of sites now have dedicated SEN teams and programmes as well as physically accessible activities.
4 | Organise a pre-visit
Book an appointment to recce the site, if possible. It is a great opportunity for you to meet with the learning team to personalise your class’ visit and get acquainted with the venue. You’ll also be able to risk-assess the site and the activities, whilst checking out the parking, picnic and toilet facilities.
5 | Plan your day
Consider journeys and travelling times to determine the length of stay at your chosen destination. Will you have enough time to cover everything you want to do? Write out an itinerary that includes any workshops or tours, free time to explore and must-see or do attractions.
6 | Use pre-visit resources
Most museums have a plethora of resources available online that are designed to support learning in the classroom, for use either prior to or after your visit. Use videos to set the scene and excite pupils ahead of their trip or use worksheets to help with follow-up lesson planning and allow them to apply new-found skills.
7 | Prepare students
Prepare the students in advance by telling them about the itinerary for the day; the times when they will need to be focused and the opportunities for free time. Set out the expectations in regard to conduct and discuss the learning outcomes and how they will be used in the following weeks.
Virginia Smith is director of learning at Brooklands Museum, which tells the stories of inventiveness, expertise, adventure and engineering innovation in British motorsport and aviation. Visit brooklandsmuseum.com
