GCSE Years Trips
Each year, there are a number of trips that GCSE scholars participate in to give them some practical
experiences of the subjects that they are studying. At Buckswood, education is not simply in the
classroom – we recognise that it is important to get out into the world and see how academic study
can be applied in the real world. Below is a sample of what we offer:
Art –
London Transport Museum – Scholars visit the museum to study how graphics and art has been
applied in the context of advertising transport. They learn about how this has changed over time and
gain useful ideas about how to get a particular message across to the public.
Other trips organised by the Art department include visits to the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, the
Jerwood Gallery in Hastings and the Tate Britain and Tate Modern and National Gallery in London.
Depending upon what exhibitions come up from year to year, the destinations may change as we like
to make the trips relevant to studies.
English –
In October, Form 5 scholars visit Newhaven Fort’s World War1 trench display. There is also a visit
to see the production of ‘Warhorse’ to support the Form 5 controlled assessment on War Poetry
which is part of the English GCSE curriculum.
In February, Form 4 scholars take a theatre trip to ‘Of Mice and Men’ to support the Form 4
controlled assessment on the text Of Mice and Men which is also part of the English GCSE
curriculum.
In April, Form 3 scholars to go to see a performance of Romeo and Juliet to support the controlled
assessment on the Shakespeare play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which is part of the English GCSE curriculum
they will start in Form 4.
History –
Form 4 scholars visit Dover Castle, where they learn about the World War 2 “Operation Dynamo”
tunnels and about the original medieval parts.
Form 5 scholars visit the Imperial War Museum in London to learn about the various wars and
conflicts that the United Kingdom has been involved in.
Geography –
As part of the GCSE Geography course, scholars take part in a field trip to Dorking Field Studies
Centre. Scholars complete a rivers investigation in an appropriate and suitable environment,
collecting data with state of the art equipment. This data is then analysed and presented in their
GCSE controlled assessment.
Languages –
Scholars have the opportunity to take part in a trip to France in October, where they attend a
specialised language school for a week of tuition and activities. Accommodation is provided by
specially chosen host families, to add to the immersive nature of the experience. In addition, there
are cultural sightseeing trips.
At the end of October/beginning of November, scholars can also go to Spain where they stay at a
boarding school in Leon. On this trip, they will have specialist language training, be partnered by
Spanish schoolchildren of their own age and will follow an activity programme with school staff. They
will have sightseeing trips to Madrid and other interesting destinations. They will stay in the school
as boarders, with Spanish pupils, to ensure maximum target language usage.
There is also language and culture trip to Hong Kong and mainland China, which takes place during
the Easter vacation.