Dear Parents/Carers,
Three times a year the normal student timetable is suspended and we offer students an alternative array of exciting, enriching and rewarding experiences: enhancing the curriculum, building the cultural capital of students and further developing their interpersonal skills that will underscore their successful development to adulthood. These days are referred to as Cultural Capital Days and are proudly one of the highlights of the academy calendar.
The second Cultural Capital Day of this academic year will be on Wednesday 29th March. All students will be going on a trip – some are free, and others require payment. Trips are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All payments are made on ParentPay. The deadline for booking is 3.00pm on Friday 10th March. This payment also serves as providing the parental consent for your child to attend the selected trip. For those students eligible for free trips, you will be sent an electronic consent form on Friday 17th March for you to complete.
Most trips will see students travel on public transport. There is no cost involved in the travel of students, as the Academy receives exemptions from Transport for London. Where there is travel by coach, this has been factored into the overall cost. All trips will commence at the Academy, and students will return to the Academy at the end of the trip before being dismissed. Unless indicated, all students should attend school in their normal school uniform. Students are advised to bring appropriate winter travel clothing. They will also need to bring their own packed lunch. Students who are eligible for a Free School Meal will be provided with a packed lunch.
The choices for Year 8 and 9 students will be as follows:
1) Transport Museum, Free
The Transport Museum is an exciting place for students with a passion for STEM. Students will discover over 200 years of London and its transport history and the stories of the people who have travelled and worked in the city. Students will travel to the Transport Museum by public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.00pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
2) Natural History Museum, Free
History and nature will come to life at the Natural History Museum. Students will find answers to some big nature questions, delve into stories about the Museum’s collections, scientists and research as well as uncover the history of life on Earth, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals. Students will travel to the Natural History Museum by public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.00pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
3) Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire, Free
Imperial War Museum Duxford is Britain’s largest aviation museum, housing nearly 200 aircraft, military vehicles and minor naval vessels in over seven main exhibition buildings. Students will discover how aviation technology has changed over time, and the impact this had on wars and conflict during the 20th century. Students will travel to Imperial War Museum Duxford via coach, returning to the Academy at approximately 3.00pm, depending on traffic.
4) Victoria and Albert Museum, Free
The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects, books and archives that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. At the museum, students will view some of the UK’s national collections and some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance. Students will travel to the museum on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
5) Design Museum, £3
The Design Museum is devoted to contemporary design in every form, from architecture and fashion to graphics, product and industrial design. Supporting the National Curriculum for Design and Technology, students will participate in a workshop experience exploring ASMR. Students will travel to the museum on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains.
6) Wicked, The Musical, £19.50
Wicked the Musical tells the untold story of the witches of Oz in one of the most successful musicals of all time. We will be attending a matinee performance, which commences at 2.30pm. Students should arrive at school for 11.00am. We will then travel to the theatre by public transport. We will return to the Academy for approximately 6.30pm. Please indicate on the Google Form whether your child will travel independently from the Academy or whether they will be collected by a parent/carer at the end of this trip.
7) To Kill a Mockingbird, £15
To Kill a Mockingbird, a literary classic, has also become one of the most successful American plays. This examination of justice and tolerance remains as relevant today as it was when Harper Lee’s novel was published 60 years ago. Students should arrive at school for 11.00am. We will then travel to the theatre by public transport. We will return to the Academy for approximately 6.30pm. Please indicate on the Google Form whether your child will travel independently from the Academy or whether they will be collected by a parent/carer at the end of this trip. Please note that this play has a 12+ rating, and the following advisory notice from the theatre – this production contains racially explicit language, themes and content and references to sexual abuse, child abuse, self-harm and violence. There will also be brief gunfire audio in the performance.
8) Harry Potter Studios Tour, £30.25
The Harry Potter film series made Leavesden its home for more than ten years. As the books were still being released while the films were being made, the production crew saved many of the iconic sets, props and costumes that were created especially for the films – just in case they were ever needed later on in the series. Students will get to experience ‘The Making of Harry Potter’, gaining an understanding of the iconic props, costumes and sets, as well as the magic of filmmaking first-hand. Students will travel to Leavesden by train, travelling through London Euston to Watford junction. From there, they will take a shuttle bus to the Harry Potter Studios. Students will return to the Academy at approximately 6.00pm, depending on the frequency of trains. Please indicate on the Google Form whether your child will travel independently from the Academy or whether they will be collected by a parent/carer at the end of this trip.
9) Chelsea F.C Tour, £15.20
Students will gain a behind-the-scenes guided tour of one of the most famous and historic football stadiums in the world. The tour starts in the Chelsea Museum, before then exploring the grounds of Stamford Bridge stadium. Students will travel to Chelsea Football Club on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.00pm, depending on the frequency of trains and buses.
10) Arsenal F.C. Tour, £18.65
Students will gain a behind-the-scenes guided tour of one of most prominent, global football stadiums in the world. The tour starts in the Arsenal Museum, before then exploring the grounds of The Emirates Stadium. Students will travel to Arsenal Football Club on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.00pm, depending on the frequency of trains and buses.
11) Gravity Bluewater, £14.95
At this activity filled trampoline park, students will have the chance to develop their skills of trampolining and climbing at the exhilarating and awesome Gravity Rocks climbing wall, which has 13 unique challenges to take on. Students attending this trip should come to the Academy in PE Kit. Climbing equipment is provided by the centre. Parents will be contacted separately to sign the health and safety agreement, as requested by the venue. Students will travel to Bluewater by public transport, returning to the Academy for 3.00pm.
Please complete the permission slip using this link by Friday 10th March 2023.
Please do get in touch with a member of your child’s Small School team if you have any questions about our Cultural Capital Days.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs H. Panton
Deputy Head of Turing School