Why we value educational visits

At Joseph Hood Primary School, we believe that learning should be inspiring, memorable and rooted in real experiences. Educational visits are a vital way of achieving this. They give children opportunities they may not otherwise have — from exploring a historic castle to experiencing the natural world first-hand or stepping inside a place of worship.

We value these experiences because they bring classroom learning to life, open children’s eyes to new perspectives and help them develop respect for different cultures and beliefs. School trips also create lasting memories, build confidence and strengthen the sense of community within each class.

       

Our approach to visits and workshops

To ensure every visit is enriching, safe and purposeful, we have a dedicated Educational Visits Coordinator who supports staff in planning and delivering high-quality experiences. Trips are carefully chosen to link with year group topic themes and reflect our commitment to cultural understanding and inclusion. Recent examples include Windsor Castle, the seaside, the London Eye, Butser Ancient Farm and The British Museum, as well as visits to places of worship that reflect the diversity of our community. Year 5 enjoyed a Viking workshop and Maya workshop. Early Years have a yearly visit from a paramedic and from Mill Hill Farm. Year 6 are given the experience of a first aid class. 

While parents are invited to contribute towards the cost of visits, our policy is clear: no child will ever be excluded from an educational trip because of financial circumstances.

Residential visits are another important part of our offer. Pupils in Year 4 enjoy a residential to Stubbington, where they develop teamwork, independence and resilience. In Year 6, children take part in a longer residential at PGL Little Canada on the Isle of Wight — an unforgettable experience that helps prepare them for the transition to secondary school.

Here are some quotes about what the children in Year 6 liked about PGL this year;

 "Our trip to PGL tested how well we worked together as a team and it helped us to improve. Everyone got to find new friends or learn more about others."  Josh   

"I really like PGL. It was so fun and there were so many fun activities. I would recommend it to others."  Marnie    

"My favourite thing that we did at the PGL was when we went on the giant swing because we went really high. It was really fun."  Giselle    

"It was really fun and you get to try new things."  AJ 

"I really enjoyed the experience of kayaking. Trapeze kind of helped my fear of heights and the cabins felt very cosy."  Harley   

"I really enjoyed the big swing as it went really high. "   Besty    

"The activities tested my courage because of the different heights and challenges."  Bethan     

"The giant swing and trapeze improved my confidence when it comes to heights."   Seb     

"I liked our knowledge being tested with the riddles."   Daria