Trips and Visits
Here at Downend we believe in the intrinsic value of educational visits and offer a variety of these as part of our established enrichment programme. These give our students opportunities for personal and academic progress beyond the classroom, to explore their curriculum in a real-world context so as to deepen understanding, as well as to enjoy new experiences and to build new relationships.
Below is an overview of the residential trips that will be on offer for each year group, including approximate costs. For each trip a letter will be sent giving details of the trip, confirming its cost and payment plan as well as who to contact if making the payments presents financial difficulties for you and your family. We have published this overview to help inform your decision making around trips, which we appreciate is difficult in the current economic climate.
We are committed to as many of our students as possible attending a residential during their time at Downend and as such priorities year 7 camp, which we heavily subsidise for low-income families. Whilst the other residentials represent valuable learning opportunities, students are not disadvantaged by non-attendance.
Enrichment Trips and Visits 2026/2027
Below are the proposed residential trips for the next academic year. We are publishing these in advance of the academic year to enable you to see all the opportunities before making a commitment.
|
Year Group |
Trip and brief description |
Date |
Approx cost (TBC) |
|
Year 7 |
Y7 Residential - 3 days at the Ultimate Adventure Centre site in Bideford, where students will enjoy numerous challenging activities developing team building & problem solving skills, as well as developing students’ confidence and independence. The centre is set in the peaceful North Devon countryside near Bideford with experienced and fully trained instructors leading groups through every aspect of the days. |
July 2027 |
£300 (TBC) Deposit: Oct |
|
Year 8 |
Y8 Humanities London Trip - 3 (full-on) days/2 nights exploring the capital city. On day one, the focus is history and includes visiting the Tower of London (including visiting the Jewel House and the Crown Jewels), a curated Thames river cruise, and a visit to the British Museum. The day ends with time in the iconic Leicester Square and dinner at Cafe Rouge before a well deserved rest at the Premier Inn. The following day the focus switches to Geography with a guided tour of the 2012 Olympic Site; one of Europe's largest urban regeneration sites. Here we visit the Olympic velodrome and swimming arena, and the Olympic Stadium (now home to West Ham Utd). |
July 2027 |
£420 (TBC) Deposit: Nov |
|
Year 9 |
Y9 Aachen Christmas Market - (2 days) An opportunity to develop and practise language skills whilst visiting the Christmas Markets, Lindt Chocolate factory and Aachen Cathedral and Crypt. |
Dec 2026 |
£290 (TBC) Deposit: May |
|
Year 9 |
Y9 Bronze DofE Enrollment Practice and Assessed Expedition (2 days each) |
July 2027 |
£26 £195 (TBC) |
|
Year 10 |
Y10 Berlin - GCSE German or RS students (5 days) This trip to Berlin, Germany’s buzzing capital, gives students an unforgettable introduction to German culture and inspires a love of all things German. The city is packed full of fascinating history and yet is still a modern, vibrant and cool city. This trip will not only be an opportunity for students to develop their language skills, and to practise their speaking and listening skills but also includes visits linked to ethics, history and religion including visits to the Jewish Cemetery, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Holocaust Memorial. |
Feb 2027 |
£790 (TBC) Deposit: May |
|
Year 10 |
Y10 Monaco - GCSE French students only (5 days) The trip is an excellent way for your child to gain experience of France including its culture and history, and to advance their French language skills. The trip will include up to four mornings (16 hours) of language workshops. Students will also take part in a number of visits and activities. The emphasis is on communication, fun activities and enjoyment of the French language and culture. |
April 2027 |
£620 (TBC) Deposit: Sept |
|
Year 10 |
Y10 Silver DofE Practice and Assessed Expedition (3 days each) |
July 2027 |
£290 (TBC) |
|
Post 16 |
The post 16 opportunities will be confirmed and published in September 2026. |
||
|
Y8,9,10 |
Holland Football Tour* - (enrollment closed) |
April 2027 |
£1500 |
* these trips will run bi-annually on alternate years
In addition to residentials, a variety of day/evening trips take place each year. These have included theatre trips, field trips, writing workshops, careers fairs and visits, sports tournaments, court visits, STEM visits and workshops, singing trips and performances…. and so much more!.
Additional enrichment opportunities are also available on-site, please see https://www.downend.com/Students/Extra-Curricular/ for further information. These are updated on a term basis.
This list is not exhaustive, and as opportunities arise we reserve the right to add to this list. In addition, where insufficient contributions are received then trips may be cancelled.
If you require any further information about these visits and trips, or the enrichment programme in place please email the school at dow-admin@cset.co.uk and it will be forwarded to the most relevant person.
Year 7 Residential 2026
Please see the below link for Brunel & Grace trip information
Brunel & Grace Houses - Year 7 Residential 2026 Parents Presentation
Please see the below link for Carpenter & Muller trip information
Carpenter & Muller Houses - Year 7 Residential 2026- Parents Presentation
Please click the below link for the Kit List
2026_Year_7_Residential_-_Kit_List_docx.pdf
Please click the below link for the Student Medication form
Year 7 Student Medication Information List (Year 7 Residential 2026)
Year 8 London (Humanities Trip) 2027
Please see below link for the London Trip letter - tbc
Please see the below links for the Year 8 London Trip
Year 9 Aachen Trip 2027
Details to follow
Year 10 Berlin Trip 2027
Details to follow
Year 10 Monaco Trip 2027
Details to follow
Football Tour Holland 2027
Please click on the below letter for the Holland Trip information
Holland 2027 Letter