Spotlight on London: Curricular adventures in the capital
With dozens of museums, galleries, landmarks, and sights available to school groups, London can be an overwhelming school trip destination when it comes to the planning process. However, it's also a city of immense diversity and educational opportunity, its attractions catering to a broad range of educational and curricular objectives.
In this blog, we aim to simplify the planning process for busy teachers by highlighting the myriad ways a trip to London can enrich students' learning experiences. Whether you're focusing on art and design, history, business studies, or STEM, London provides an unparalleled setting for students to engage with their studies in new and exciting ways.
Learning objectives covered by a London school trip
Art & design
Take inspiration from the fantastic collections, museums, and galleries that make up our capital’s creative scene on our London art and design school trip. Everything from fine art and sculpture to photography, digital design and textiles fills the city’s world-class art spaces, providing the perfect platform for your students to challenge themselves and build new skills – irrespective of their chosen focus.
Business studies
Home to one of the largest financial hubs in the world, London is a popular destination among our business studies school groups, allowing students to uncover the role our capital plays in the global economy. Roam the Square Mile and you’ll reveal the history of former trades and industries that lend their names to modern-day streets and buildings, while paying a visit to the headquarters of some of the UK’s top 100 listed companies will further inspire your students.
English language
Discover the influence London has had on several world-famous writers with our English studies school trip to London. Here, students can wander through the urban settings of popular novels, and familiarise themselves with literacy landmarks like the Bloomsbury district and Poet’s Corner. Specifically designed as an outlet for the Bard’s myriad works, Shakespeare’s Globe is also a particularly popular excursion for our groups, where students can experience the traditional English dialect as it would originally have been performed.
Enrichment
Whether you’re looking to explore world-famous museums and galleries, film and television studios and locations, historical landmarks or theme parks, the UK capital has it all – and just a short journey away! With so many of its excursions suited for schoolchildren, there’s little wonder our school trips to London are so popular.
Film & media
The hub of media creativity in the UK, London is home to several major broadcasters, influential film, television and radio production companies, and regulatory authorities – making it an excellent destination for inspiring your film and media students. On our school trip, you can motivate your students with workshops on the art of filmmaking at the London Film Museum, before wandering the locations of famous films and television programmes and visiting the famous Leicester Square.
History
Students can gain an in-depth view of the tenacity of Great Britain’s capital through time with our history school trips to London. From exploring the city’s rise and fall under the Roman Empire via the city’s seven gates to the Norman Conquest and the bloody past of the Tower of London, there’s nothing like a visit to these historic landmarks to engage your group with the curriculum. For a broader look at human history through the ages, we also recommend a visit to the British Museum – the first of its kind and home to more than two million artefacts.
Performing arts
From West End musicals to unforgettable performance workshops, your group can enjoy the sights and sounds of London on a performing arts school trip. Our connections to some of the capital’s most iconic studios help make our London drama trips special, as training from the city’s top-class tutors offers your students an immersive experience of London’s performing arts industry.
Politics
Delve into the heart of British politics with our school trip to London, where your groups can gain context and understanding of our government and legal structure. Tours around our most important institutions, such as The Old Bailey, The Royal Courts of Justice and Palace of Westminster are ripe for the picking, while the Clink Prison Museum adds an interactive element to your group’s learnings.
STEM
Located right on the doorstep of school groups in the UK, London makes for an excellent and affordable school trip for complementing STEM lessons. From the world's oldest scientific zoo to some of the biggest specimen collections on the planet, London is bursting with exhibitions and research centres. What’s more, several excursions offer free entry, as well as tailored scientific talks, tours and educational programs.
Travel & tourism
One of the most popular tourist destination in the world, London attracts more than 20 million overseas visitors each year, as well as hundreds of millions of domestic day trippers, making it an exemplary school trip destination for travel and tourism students. Learn what makes the British capital so attractive with our list of excursions, which will engage and educate your students on the hospitality, catering, marketing, and health and safety efforts required to maintain the city’s reputation as a premier destination.
Free things to do in London for schools
Among other things, London is famed for its free-entry museums and sights – many of which are heralded on the world stage for their entertaining and educational exhibits. Here are some suggestions for your school trip:
British Museum
Browse the vast collection of global artefacts at the British Museum, which offers free admission to its permanent collections. With some eight million objects inside, the museum offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to delve into world history and cultures – as well as the ethics of keeping such items.
National Gallery
Masterpieces from artists such as Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Turner line the walls at the National Gallery, providing an enriching experience for art enthusiasts.
Tate Modern
Explore contemporary and modern art styles and techniques at the Tate Modern. While special exhibitions may be subject to an additional fee, the main collection is free to access, and features works by acclaimed artists such as Picasso and Matisse.
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
Immerse yourself in art and design at the V&A, which houses a diverse range of exhibits, including fashion, photography, and ceramics.
Natural History Museum
Engage in interactive exhibits and marvel at the iconic dinosaur displays at the Natural History Museum, a centre of scientific excellence which features exciting exhibits spanning biology and geology.
Science Museum
Delve into the world of science and technology at the Science Museum, which presents topics – from space exploration to inventions – in fascinating ways we know will engage your school group.
Hyde Park, Green Park & St James' Park
There's always something to do in London's larger and more spacious parks. Even if it's just grabbing an ice cream and taking a stroll, the parks' beauty offer a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
A must-see for newcomers to London (if you can time it right!), the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is an iconic London experience showcasing British tradition, pomp, and pageantry.
South Bank
Favoured among locals and visitors alike, the South Bank offers an entertainment-filled stroll along the South Bank of the River Thames, with views of the London Eye and St. Paul's Cathedral serving as the backdrop for street performers and cultural events.
Remember to check the opening hours and any specific guidelines for these attractions, as policies may change. London's neighbourhoods, markets, and historical sites provide additional opportunities for exploration, ensuring a well-rounded and cost-effective school trip experience.
How much do every day items cost in London (2024)?
- Single underground ticket: From £2.70
- Coffee: £3.60
- Burger and fries in a fast food restaurant: £8
- Large portion of fish & chips: £9.90
Ready to book your school trip to London?
A school trip to London promises an enriching educational experience that cover a wide array of subjects, ensuring that every student can benefit from the city's diverse offerings. From exploring the city's rich history and cultural landmarks, to engaging in hands-on workshops and visiting world-renowned institutions, London serves as an exceptional classroom beyond the traditional school environment. As you consider the next destination for your school trip, remember that London provides not only a convenient and affordable option to UK groups, but also an opportunity to create a profound educational impact, and memories to last a lifetime.
To find out more about our school trips to London, or enquire about booking a school trip, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.
