Dear Parents/Carers,
Cultural Capital Day, Wednesday 7th December 2022
Three times a year the normal student timetable is suspended for the day 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 first Cultural Capital Day of this academic year will be on Wednesday 7th December. 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 2nd December. This payment also serves as providing the parental consent for your child to attend the selected trip. For those students on a free trip, you will be sent an electronic consent form on Monday 5th December for you to complete.
All 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. All trips will commence at the Academy, and see students 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 lunch.
The choices for Year 8 and 9 students will be as follows:
1) British Museum, London, Free
During this trip, students will have the opportunity to explore the permanent collection of one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. Including over eight million works, the museum documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. The exhibitions that students will visit will link directly to the topics they are currently studying in History, including African and European Empires. Students will travel to the British Museum on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains and buses.
2) London Zoo, London, £7.00
London Zoo is the largest and oldest scientific zoo in the world, housing over 670 species of animals. Students will be able to visit exhibits detailing the zoo’s important conservation work, to prevent the most at risk species from becoming extinct. This links directly with students’ work in Science and Geography. As a school trip, we receive a heavily discounted price to the zoo. Students will travel to London Zoo on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains and buses.
3) Hampton Court Palace, London, £4.10
On this trip, students will be able to experience the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII, his wives and children in the world of the Tudor Court. We will visit the Grade 1 listed Great Hall, Tudor Kitchens, as well as exploring the 60 acres of magnificent gardens. Students will travel to Hampton Court on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains and buses.
4) Tate Britain, London, Free
Situated on the North Bank of the River Thames in Central London, Tate Britain is the world’s largest collection of British Art. Students will be able to explore artwork that they are studying in their Art lessons, gaining a glimpse into a moment in history, the life of the artist or subject, and how and why the work is made. Students will travel to Tate Britain on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.30pm, depending on the frequency of trains and buses.
5) 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 on the school minibus, returning to the Academy at approximately 3.00pm, depending on traffic.
6) Chelsea Football Stadium Tour, London, £15.00
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.
7) Museum of London Docklands, London, Free
The Museum of London Docklands, based in West India Quay, explains the history of the River Thames, the growth of Port of London and the docks historical link to the Atlantic slave trade. This trip links directly to students’ studies in History and English in Years 8 and 9. Students will travel to the Museum of London Docklands on public transport, returning to the Academy at approximately 2.00pm, depending on the frequency of trains and buses.
8) Reach Climbing Wall, Woolwich, £6.00
Students will visit one of the country’s largest bouldering climbing walls in the country, and enjoy a workshop with trained coaches at the centre. Students attending this trip should come to the Academy in PE kit. Climbing equipment, including shoes, are provided by the centre. Students will travel to Reach by public transport, returning to the Academy for 2.00pm.
9) Wicked the Musical, London, £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 18.30pm, where students will need to be collected from the Academy by a parent/carer.
Should you have any questions about our Cultural Capital Days, please do get in touch with a member of your child’s Small School team.
Yours faithfully,
Mr B Russell
Head of Franklin School