One of the main events of the trip is a visit to the Houses of Parliament where students will undertake a debating workshop and have a tour before meeting our local MP. This, and the rest of the trip will provide students with the opportunity to develop their understanding of life in Modern Britain. The two days are packed with fun educational experiences:

Wednesday 27 March

• Depart Liskeard School via coach at 5.15am
• 12.00pm – 1.00pm: London Central Mosque - 1 hour tour/workshop. Students have studied elements of Islam through KS3 as well as this forming a large part of the KS4 course. This visit will help to consolidate their understanding and develop respect for people of all faiths.
• 2.00pm – 5.30pm: Houses of Parliament - Debating Workshop and Tour of the Houses of Parliament.
• 6.00pm: Dinner in London - Evening meal in Covent Garden at Honest Burgers. A menu with choices will be provided nearer the time
• 7.30pm: West End Show – The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
• 10:30pm - Depart for Earl’s Court Youth Hostel for overnight accommodation.

Thursday 28 March

• Breakfast and leave Earl’s Court Youth Hostel at around 9.15am
• 10.00am – 2.00pm: Science Museum - A four hour experience with various workshops and activities. Students will engage in careers related workshops, where they will have the opportunity to speak to employees of the museum and take part in a Q&A. Students will also engage in self guided activities linked to careers in the STEM subjects.
• 3.00pm – 4.00pm: Tower Bridge – Before departing for Cornwall, students will be able to admire the landscape of our Capital City from one of London’s oldest bridges, as well as learning about the history of the bridge itself and how it works today.
• 4.30pm: Thames Clipper Cruise – En-route back to Cornwall to avoid central London’s rush hour traffic, we will take the Thames Clipper river boat west out of London from the Tower Bridge pier, meeting up with the coach at Putney Bridge. Not only will this be a practical method of transport, it will allow students one last sight-seeing opportunity.
• 5.45pm: Depart for Liskeard School – We will make a stop off at a motorway service station for students to purchase their evening meal before returning to Liskeard School at approximately midnight.

Please note, whilst all activities have been initially contacted, this itinerary is provisional and subject to change if some activities or locations are unable to facilitate our visit for any reason.

Price

As usual for this trip, we have sourced some external funding and can therefore offer the trip at a subsidised price of £160, this provides excellent value for money as it includes all activities in the programme as well as travel, dinner, accommodation and breakfast and a packed lunch on the Thursday. Students will only be required to bring their own packed lunch for Wednesday, as well as money for food on Thursday evening at the service station. We would recommend around £10-£15 for this. As you can see from the itinerary, there is very little time for souvenirs, so students will not need anything for this at all. The only opportunities students may have for this is during the interval at the Lion King and whist at the Science Museum.

Payment

Please speak to your child over the half term break to see if they are interested in taking part in this exciting opportunity. I will be speaking to students in more detail about the trip in their first assembly back after half term and ParentPay will open to secure your child’s place shortly after at around 4pm on Wednesday 1 November. A reminder of this will be sent out to parents nearer the time. Please be aware places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis for 50 students. Should the trip be fully booked, but your child would like to attend, please contact me as I will keep a reserve list. As with all school trips, for both the safety and enjoyment of other students, we reserve the right to remove a student from the trip if their behaviour in school gives us a cause for concern.

More details about payment will be sent out along with the reminder, I am sending this letter today to give parents a few weeks’ notice. In order to make the trip fully inclusive, parents will not be required to pay an initial deposit at the point of selecting the trip. Once your child’s place has been confirmed, parents will then need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £40 by Friday 10 November to secure your child’s place.

In order to help spread out the cost, the remaining balance can be paid in two instalments of £60. Reminders will be sent out to parents via text and/or email near these dates:

Of course, payments can be made at any time before the trip as long as the instalment dates are met. Please note that the instalment dates link to when we must make payments for the trip. Therefore, we are unable to refund any money paid if your child later decides they no longer want to attend the trip for any reason.

If your child is in receipt of Pupil Premium funding, some of this may be able to be used towards the cost of the trip. Please contact the finance office to discuss this with them. They can be contacted on 01579 325718.

Covid-19

Although unlikely, should the trip have to be cancelled by us due to Covid-19, then I can confirm that you will receive a full refund of any money paid, including the deposit. However, the difficult decision has been taken that should your child not be able to attend at late notice due to Covid-19 or refusal to follow any government or venue requirements, that parents will be liable for the costs. We will inform you of any requirements, but this will need to be organised by and, if necessary at the time, at the cost to yourselves. If your child wishes to take part in this trip, please be aware of this before paying the deposit. As with all school trips, should your child later decide not to attend for any reasons other than Covid-19, then no payment will be refunded.

An information evening for parents/carers and students will be held a few weeks before the trip. In the meantime should you have any further questions about this trip, please do not hesitate to contact me via the school reception or by emailing naird@liskeard.net

Yours sincerely

Mr N Aird