Educational Visits at Rotherfield Primary School

At Rotherfield, we believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our Educational Visits Programme is an essential and cherished part of school life, enriching our curriculum and giving our pupils the chance to experience the world first-hand. Living in the heart of London, one of the most vibrant, diverse and culturally rich cities in the world, we make full and purposeful use of everything it has to offer. From world-class museums and galleries to historic landmarks, cultural centres, theatre, nature reserves and local community spaces, our pupils benefit from an exceptional range of experiences that broaden their horizons and bring learning to life.

 

Why Educational Visits Matter

Educational visits play a vital role in building pupils’ cultural capital, developing their vocabulary, and deepening their understanding of the world. These experiences:

• Bring learning to life by allowing children to see, touch and explore real-world examples of what they study in class.
• Develop curiosity and confidence, encouraging children to ask questions and make meaningful connections.
• Strengthen vocabulary, offering rich, contextual language that cannot be replicated through classroom teaching alone.
• Help children discover new interests, whether through art, science, history or nature.
• Build social skills and independence, supporting teamwork, resilience and personal responsibility.

For many of our pupils, school trips open doors to experiences they may not otherwise encounter; moments that can be truly transformative and memorable for years to come.

 

Our Approach to Educational Visits

Educational visits are an integral part of our curriculum, not an optional extra. Every year group takes part in multiple trips, carefully planned to enhance and deepen learning across subjects. Phase leaders plan and book all educational visits, ensuring a coherent and high-quality programme across the school year and all trips are signed off by the Head of School.

We follow the principle that all children should participate, including pupils with SEND. Educational visits are part of the National Curriculum and children should not miss out unless there is a significant health and safety concern. Where needed, we work closely with parents to enable a child’s attendance, including offering the opportunity for a parent to accompany the trip if required for safety or support.

 

Making Visits Easy for Families

To make trips as simple and accessible as possible for parents, we operate a one-off annual permission system. Families complete a single consent form at the start of the year, which covers all educational visits and off-site learning for that academic year. This reduces paperwork for families and ensures that children can participate fully without barriers or delays.

We will always communicate clearly about upcoming visits, including dates, clothing, lunch arrangements and any special requirements. Up-to-date medical information is essential and is automatically checked to ensure children’s safety is prioritised in all planning and risk assessments.

To help us continue to run a large variety of trips, we ask parents for a yearly voluntary donation. This can be paid on our Arbor – our parent communication app.

 

Year 6 Residential: PGL Adventure

Our Year 6 residential trip is one of the most memorable experiences of a child’s time at Rotherfield. Each year, pupils spend a few days at a PGL adventure centre, taking part in a wide range of outdoor and team-building activities designed to build confidence, independence and resilience.

The residential offers children the chance to:

• Challenge themselves through activities such as climbing, archery, canoeing, and high ropes
• Work as a team, strengthening friendships and developing leadership skills
• Build independence, experiencing time away from home in a safe, supportive environment
• Have fun and make lifelong memories before transitioning to secondary school

The trip is fully staffed by our year 6 team, who ensure children are supported, safe and encouraged throughout.