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Trips & Travel

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We believe in the value of learning outside of the classroom and organise a wide range of trips and visits locally, nationally and internationally. These trips may be to support studies or simply to broaden minds.

Last year alone over 150 trips took place, from local Stockport Magistrates Court to the streets of Mumbai, New York and Peru. As you can imagine, every trip is highly sought after and our students always have a fantastic experience, creating memories and making friends.

There are different trips every year and students can find out more during induction and in their subjects. The following trips run every year and are open to all students.

For general enquiries about Enrichment programmes, please contact kelley.dawson@aquinas.ac.uk.

Compulsory Curriculum Trips

  • Compulsory Curriculum Trips - Lower 6th

    • NORTH WALES

      Duration and date: 4 Days in June
      Cost of trip: £400 £400 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Environmental Science A Level
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Lower 6th for Environmental Science students and a limited number of BTEC Science or Biology students who wish to learn about ecology (as an enrichment activity).
      Conditions for taking part: You cannot take this A Level without attending the field trip. Questions on field trip techniques will be embedded into the exam papers at the end of the second year to assess the skills learned and developed.

      Students will take part in activities based around ecological practical techniques. Students will learn how to sample different wild populations in various environments including terrestrial, fresh water aquatic and marine. They will also spend some time in the evening in class analysing their data using statistics and planning activities where they will learn how to standardise and problem solve. We will be visiting Anglesey, Harlech National Nature Reserve, and local farmland and forests around Betws y coed.

      We will be staying in a Field Studies Centre near Betws y coed and students will have access to Wi-Fi, tv and various games in their free time. The price includes all transport, food and outdoor kit (waterproofs, wellingtons, boots etc).

      It is the equivalent to coursework and is therefore a compulsory part of the course.

  • Compulsory Curriculum Trips - Upper 6th

    • NORTH WALES

      Duration and date: 4 Days in June
      Cost of trip: £400 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Environmental Science A Level
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Upper 6th for Environmental Science students and a limited number of BTEC Science or Biology students who wish to learn about ecology (as an enrichment activity).
      Conditions for taking part: You cannot take this A Level without attending the field trip. Questions on field trip techniques will be embedded into the exam papers at the end of the second year to assess the skills learned and developed.

      Students will take part in activities based around ecological practical techniques. Students will learn how to sample different wild populations in various environments including terrestrial, fresh water aquatic and marine. They will also spend some time in the evening in class analysing their data using statistics and planning activities where they will learn how to standardise and problem solve. We will be visiting Anglesey, Harlech National Nature Reserve, and local farmland and forests around Betws y coed.

      We will be staying in a Field Studies Centre near Betws y coed and students will have access to Wi-Fi, tv and various games in their free time. The price includes all transport, food and outdoor kit (waterproofs, wellingtons, boots etc).

      It is the equivalent to coursework and is therefore a compulsory part of the course.

Enrichment Curriculum Trips

  • Enrichment Curriculum Trips - Lower 6th

    • MOVE IT, EXCEL, LONDON

      Duration and date: 3 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £200 £400 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Dance/Performing Arts
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Lower 6th for Dance & Performing Arts students only
      Conditions for taking part: N/A

      This is an educational trip to experience career options and pathways in dance and performing arts. Universities in the UK and abroad are on hand over the 3 days to offer information to students. Students can participate in a variety of dance classes taught by professional dance artists. Performances are on the main stage around the clock. A fantastic experience for students who want to gain knowledge about careers in the performing arts world as well as gather information on pathways and choices for after Aquinas.

      PARIS

      Duration and date: 3 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £400-£500 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: English Language & Literature
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Lower 6th for English Language and Literature students only
      Conditions for taking part: We would encourage those with good attendance & studentship to take part.

      This is a really beneficial trip for English Language and Literature students as we study the AQA Paris Anthology, a set text worth a significant amount of their final A level marks. As they will need to respond to tasks about the ways that Paris, its landmarks, its culture and its people are represented, having first-hand experience of the city will make their understanding much stronger and more engaged.

      BARCELONA

      Duration and date: 4 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £570 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Art & Design, Graphics, 3D Design, Photography, Textiles
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Lower 6th for Art & Design, Graphics, 3D Design, Photography and Textiles students only
      Conditions for taking part: N/A

      This is a trip to Barcelona for all Lower 6th Art and Design students in Art, Graphics, Textiles, Photography and 3D Design. This visit will consist of 3 nights and 4 days stay in Barcelona City Centre along with a packed schedule of activities, both day and evening. This will include visits to Sagrada Familia; Nou Camp Stadium Tour; Barcelona Graffiti & Street Art Tour; Picasso Museum; Parc Guell; Casa Batillo as well as general sightseeing around the city.

      The visit will be used as an opportunity for the students to investigate an area of art or design which may influence their major A2 project, they will be able to take inspiration from the exhibitions, museums, as well as some iconic architecture around Barcelona. Students will also be able to take photos of the work to include in their projects as part of their contextual research.

      LŰBECK, N GERMANY

      Duration and date: 1 Week Exchange: TBA
      Cost of trip: £300 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: German
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Lower 6th for German language students only
      Conditions for taking part: As this is an exchange, it is essential that you can offer accommodation to a German student and that you are willing to stay with a family in Germany. During the Germans’ stay here you will need to provide or arrange transport to and from college plus meals at home.

      This is a cultural trip to experience life as part of a German family and improve knowledge of language and culture. We attend lessons in school and we are taken on trips to Hamburg and other destinations as well as doing activities within Lubeck. During the Germans’ visit to us, all students attend most lessons as usual and take part in part-day and full-day activities with the German guests.

      ANDERNOS – SOUTH WEST FRANCE

      Duration and date: 1 Week Exhange – TBA
      Cost of trip: Approx £300
      Subject: French
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the L6 for French language students and other interested L6 students with prior experience of learning French.
      Conditions for taking part: As this is an exchange, it is essential that you can offer accommodation to a French student and that you are willing to stay with a family in France. During the French student’s stay here you will need to provide transport to and from college daily and meals.

      This is a cultural trip to experience life as part of a French family. The region we visit is beautiful and we are taken on trips to Bordeaux and other well-known destinations and do work experience in a primary school.
      During the French students’ visit to us our students attend lessons as usual and take part in trips to Liverpool and Manchester. The trip is a brilliant opportunity to develop French speaking skills and knowledge of France.

  • Enrichment Curriculum Trips - Upper 6th

    • London

      Duration and date: 2 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £270 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Performing Arts, Music, Drama & Theatre, Dance
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Upper 6th for Performing Arts students only
      Conditions for taking part: Satisfactory attendance on MyAquinas

      The cost of the trip includes: bed and breakfast accommodation at The Meininger Hotel, Hyde park, luxury coach travel, instruction and travel insurance.
      The trip also includes;

        • Warner Brothers Studios (the making of Harry Potter studio tour)
        • A West End show-To be confirmed
        • River Thames Cruise
        • Evening meal and drink at Pizza Hut.
        • London Dungeons – Darker side of Historic London

      GENEVA

      Duration and date: 2 Days/1 Night: TBA
      Cost of trip: £200 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Physics
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Upper 6th for Physics students only
      Conditions for taking part: N/A

      On this trip students visit the Swiss city of Geneva to tour the world’s largest ever science experiment – the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. Students will be able to visit exhibits explaining the science that tells us how we gain insights into the history of the Universe from observations of tiny particles which are being smashed together at incredibly high speeds. There will also be a tour of some of the facilities at CERN led by one of the Scientists that work there. We will also have time to visit many of the attractions in Geneva itself.

      SAN FRANCISCO

      Duration and date: 1 Week – TBA
      Cost of trip: £1,450 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Computer Science / IT
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Upper 6th for Computing and IT students only
      Conditions for taking part: Good attendance and studentship

      This is an educational trip visiting some of the leading technology companies in the world (Apple, Google, Intel etc.). The aim of the trip is to provide the students with the opportunity to gain an insight into the latest developments in computing technology from companies that are changing how we live our lives. We also visit the Computer History Museum and Technology Museum of Innovation to learn about the development of computing over the last 70 years. An extra visit on the trip lets the students experience life on a US university campus with a tour of Stanford University.

      As most Silicon Valley professionals live in San Francisco we will also base ourselves there and enjoy the attractions of the city such as visiting Alcatraz Prison, cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge and walking through the many different neighbourhoods of this fascinating city.
      Includes return flights from Manchester to San Francisco, accommodation (B&B), coach tour and guide, all entrance fees.

      New York City

      Duration and date: 6 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £1400 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: A Level Film & Media, BTEC Media Production
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Upper 6th for A Level Film & Media and BTEC
      Conditions for taking part: Strong attendance and punctuality rates. Meeting target grades in assessments.

      We have run this trip for 9 years and the students who are able to go find it greatly beneficial; from discovering new talents and career paths to travelling alone for the first time, every student enjoys and is changed for the better by this trip. The students develop academically and personally and return energised, more focused and aspirational to meet their future goals.
      Planned activities are:

          • Top Of The Rock
          • Ice Skating At Rockefeller Centre
          • TV & Movie Sights Tour
          • Museum Of The Moving Image
          • A Broadway show (TBC)
          • NBC Studio Tour
          • Ferry trip to Staten Island

      There will be further activities planned and some free time for students to spend as they wish.

      MELLOR COUNTRY HOUSE

      Duration and date: 5 days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £90 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Pathways
      Trip availability: Open to all Upper 6th and Lower 6th Pathways students
      Conditions for taking part: N/A

      This is a residential trip consolidating the independent life skills students have focussed on during the year such as cooking and social skills. It includes a trip to a local place of interest and activities in Mellor House such as sports, baking, walks and crafts.

      LONDON

      Duration and date: 2-3 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £200 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Modern History and Pre-Modern
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Upper 6th for History students only
      Conditions for taking part: High work and behaviour standards must have been met throughout the course and students will be prioritised on a first-come-first-served basis.

      This trip will be very useful to both modern and pre-modern historians. From the houses of Parliament to the V&A Museum, Hampton Court and the Tower of London, there is no end to the vast amount of History that our capital provides us with.

      WASHINGTON DC & PHILADELPHIA, USA

      Duration and date: 1 Week – TBA
      Cost of trip: £1350 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Politics
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the U6 and initially open to Politics students. If places remain available they will be made available to Law, History and other interested students.
      Conditions for taking part: N/A

      To support students’ understanding of their A Level US Politics course we will be running a trip to Washington DC in February 2020. We will be visiting all of the main points of political interest in the US capital and hope to include other excursions and walking tours in order to experience many other aspects of US history and culture. We expect to visit Arlington Cemetery, National Archives, Smithsonian Museum(s), U.S. Capitol (Senate and House of Representatives), Library of Congress, US Supreme Court, and the Pentagon.

      NEW YORK CITY

      Duration and date: 6 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £1450 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Business, Accounting and Economics
      Trip availability: Undertaken in the Upper 6th for Business, Accounting or Economics students only
      Conditions for taking part: Students must be studying a course within the department; Applied Business, A Level Business, Accounting, Economics and Financial Studies

      This trip is focused on business development across the city. Students are able to gain an insight into the financial District and how the city has become a financial hub for international trade. In addition to this, students are able to explore the history of the development of the retail sector through the financial walking tour and also the guided tour and marketing conference at Macy’s.

Cross College Trips

  • Cross College Trips: Lower 6th

    • MUMBAI, INDIA

      Duration and date: 10 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £2000 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Undertaken in Lower 6th for all students
      Trip availability: Open to all Lower 6 students in the college
      Conditions for taking part: This trip is in support of a charity in India and involves working with young children who live in the slums in Mumbai. We run the India Project in college to raise money for the charity that we work with, Prem Dan, and there is an expectation that students who come on the trip will be part of this project and take part in fund raising to pay for the educational materials we take with us to India.

      The focus of the trip is the workshops that students carry out with underprivileged children. The trip also offers a cultural experience where students take part in a variety of activities including; yoga, Bollywood dancing, visits to temples, Indian food and many other aspects of Indian culture. The cost includes all travel, tourist visa, all food and water and accommodation.

      LOURDES

      Duration and date: 5 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £630 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Undertaken in Lower 6th for all students
      Trip availability: Open to all Lower 6 students in the college
      Conditions for taking part: Satisfactory attendance on MyAquinas

      The cost of the tour will include flights with Flybe, full board accommodation at The Ariane Hotel, Lourdes, minibus travel and travel insurance. The trip also includes; Torchlight Procession, Lourdes Guided visit, Massabielle Grotto visit, Le petit traine Lourdes- mini-train ride around Lourdes, Pic du Jer- Cable car ride with 1000ft views over Lourdes, Batresmountain village visit, Gavarnie visit- Natural amphitheatre with waterfalls, Betharram Caves.

      VENICE

      Duration and date: 7 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £400 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Undertaken in Lower 6th for all students
      Trip availability: Open to all Lower 6 students in the college
      Conditions for taking part: As this is an exchange, it is essential that you can offer accommodation to an Italian student and that you are willing to stay with a family in Italy.

      This is an exchange so the Italian students visit Aquinas in March and stay in our homes. Our students continue to attend college during this visit and take part in activities with the Italians during evenings and weekends.
      The cost of our trip to Valdobiadenne in the Prosecco region of NE Italy includes flights, all meals and trips to places in the region such as Venice & Verona.

      ST JOHN’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

      Duration and date: 1 Night – TBA
      Cost of trip: £80 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Undertaken by Lower 6th students
      Trip availability: AQ Scholars, but open to any high achieving student
      Conditions for taking part: To benefit from the trip the student should be doing well enough academically for an Oxbridge UCAS application to be a realistic proposition.

      This visit is designed to give students an idea of the realities of life as an Oxbridge student and an appreciation of what Oxford and Cambridge universities can offer. We meet current undergraduates, admissions tutors and researchers, and have a chance to experience life in college: the food, the rooms, the gardens, libraries and courtyards. We normally visit a Cambridge subject faculty and also one of Cambridge’s museums. There is also trip to a student theatre production or the cinema. Hopefully a few myths about Oxbridge will be dispelled and you will come away with a clear idea as to whether you would like to apply.

      MURRAY EDWARDS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

      Duration and date: 1 Night – TBA
      Cost of trip: £80 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Undertaken by Lower 6th students
      Trip availability: AQ Scholars, but open to any high achieving student
      Conditions for taking part: To benefit from the trip the student should be doing well enough academically for an Oxbridge UCAS application to be a realistic proposition.

      This visit is designed to give students an idea of the realities of life as an Oxbridge student and an appreciation of what Oxford and Cambridge universities can offer. We meet current undergraduates, admissions tutors and researchers, and have a chance to experience life in college: the food, the rooms, the gardens, libraries and courtyards. We normally visit a Cambridge subject faculty and also one of Cambridge’s museums. There is also trip to a student theatre production or the cinema. Hopefully a few myths about Oxbridge will be dispelled and you will come away with a clear idea as to whether you would like to apply.

  • Cross College Trips: Upper 6th

    • EUROWEEK

      Duration and date: 7 Days – TBA
      Cost of trip: £80 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Undertaken by Upper 6th students
      Trip availability: Open to all Upper 6th students
      Conditions for taking part: Students must have good attendance during Lower 6th, be reliable and be prepared to fully take part in all of the activities.

      Euroweek is a week-long festival which has been held every year for the last 16 years in a different European country each time. During this week, 8 students and 2 teachers from a school / college from Europe meet up and take part in art, drama, discussion workshops. Also, there will be a programme of performances, tasting traditional foods and sightseeing in the host country.

      KRAKOW, POLAND

      Duration and date: 2-3 Nights – TBA
      Cost of trip: £400-£500 Approx. (2019-20 prices)
      Subject: Undertaken by Upper 6th students
      Trip availability: Open to all Upper 6th students
      Conditions for taking part: N/A

      This is a historical and cultural trip to Krakow and Auschwitz. Students will learn about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis in Krakow itself, and will visit the extermination camps where over 1 million people were murdered at the hands of a fascist regime. Students will experience other cultural phenomenon in Krakow such as the Salt Mines and a historical tour of the old town.

London SkylineSkyline from a visit to indiastudents on a boat in india earth science field trip