Maths School Trip to London

A WST tour to London will support the study of elements of the following exam board specifications:

This gallery will tell stories that place maths at the heart of our lives, exploring how mathematicians have helped to shape the modern world.

BRITISH MUSEUM MATHS EDUCATIONAL SESSION (Key Stages 3-5)

The British Museum’s permanent collection, numbering some 8 million works, is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence and originates from all continents.

The museum has a choice of excellent free sessions specific to Maths for KS3,4 & 5 students.  They also have some fun education al Classroom resources.

• Maths Challenge-  2 Hours (KS3)

In this teacher-led session students use packs of materials supplied by the Museum.

Groups of students rotate through up to nine activities in different galleries, including the Citi Money Gallery. The challenges are designed to focus on developing students’ mathematical thinking by using key processes and applying a variety of mathematical concepts to unfamiliar challenges. (Max 70)

 • Money in the Museum – 3 Hours (KS3, 4 or 5)

In this teacher-led session students undertake a number of activities around the Museum based on the theme of money.  Students apply concepts from Citizenship and Mathematics to unfamiliar challenges. Resource packs are supplied by the Museum. (Max 35)

 • Money Handling and Financial Education -4 Hours with Lunch Break (KS3, 4 OR 5) 

By handling objects from the Citi Money Gallery collection and participating in contextual activities, students will develop an awareness of the role of money and an appreciation of its uses. The morning session called ‘Stash the Cash’ focuses on financial capability, also covering Citizenship and PSHE elements. In the afternoon, financial education concepts are delivered through a maths specific curriculum session called ’Making money’.

Classroom Resources (KS3-5)

The museum also provides a number of shorter classroom activities which you can download online. 

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM: VISITS AND TALKS (KS3-5)

This museum allows groups to see and hear first-hand the role and function of the Bank of England.  Educational talks are provided and the visit to the museum is also free where the highlight is always lifting a real gold bullion!

TALKS (45-60 mins)  

A variety of free talks and presentations are on offer to groups of between 15 and 50 which can be tailored to your specific interests of the bank on request including.

-Pounds and Pence (KS3): This upbeat presentation is cross-curricular and contains educational links to Maths, History, English and Citizenship/PSHE/PSE/PSD.

It covers the history and purpose of money, why prices change and the Bank of England's role in keeping prices low and stable. The film’s humorous scenarios explain the points in an accessible and entertaining way. Using sheets of new banknotes worth thousands of pounds, children will examine the security features on these genuine notes and be encouraged to play an active part throughout the presentation. 

-Keeping on an even keel - the role of the Bank of England (KS4-5): A short film that uses nautical metaphor and animation to explain the Bank’s roles and responsibilities in an accessible, imaginative and entertaining way. The film is divided into seven short modules, which provide a simple guide to the Bank’s monetary policy and financial stability roles. The modules explain why low inflation and a safe and stable financial system matter to the UK economy and how the Bank contributes to achieving them.

Museum Activity Sheets (KS 3-5)

When visiting this free museum, students can collect an activity sheet relevant to their age group to complete as they move through the exhibitions

Class Resources(KS 3-5)

The Museum’s financial focused class resources can be found on the link. 

 http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/Pages/resources/default.aspx

MATHS IN THE CITY WALKING TOUR

The London Maths in the City tour explores the area around the Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral.  You'll be looking at networks, geometry, resonance, curves and topology through the medium of chalk, sweeties, slinkies and rope!

The includes a lot of demonstrations that illustrate the maths behind what you see and key stops include:

1. Graphs and networks at the Tate Modern,
2. Creating the Gherkin's curves, 
3. Art at the Tate Modern
4. Catenary chains on the Thames
5. The Millenium Bridge
6. The dome of St Paul's cathedral
7. Topology on the Tube

BLETCHLEY PARK: THE HOME OF WWII CODE BREAKING 

(ENROUTE VISIT 1 HR NORTH OF LONDON)

Winner of ‘Best Attraction for Group’s in the 2015 Group Travel Awards.  It is the home of British codebreaking and a birthplace of modern information technology. It played a major role in World War Two, producing secret intelligence which had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the conflict.

A 3 hour visit (plus time for lunch if needed) includes a one hour guided tour of the grounds, up to an hour’s exploration of the fascinating museum rooms and a 1 hour educational workshop of choice.

WORKSHOPS

Bletchley Park offer a variety of facilitated workshops for school groups with specific focus on mathematics  and computing. Each workshop is 60 minutes in duration and is designed to be engaging, hands-on and challenging for students.

Facilitated workshops include:

 Key Stage 3 & 4

• Codes and ciphers  (Maths, History, Computing)
• New! Interception to Intelligence: Land and Sea  (Maths, History)
• Cyber Secrets (History, Computing, PSHE)

 Key Stage 5

• Codes and ciphers  (Maths, History, Computing)
• History of Bletchley Park  (Maths, History)
• Mathematics of Enigma  (Maths, History, Computing)
• Cyber Security  (History, Computing, PSHE)

GUIDED TOURS

Guided Tour Outdoor tours of our beautifully restored historical site introduce the story of Bletchley Park. Immersed in the surroundings where events actually took place students are introduced to the lives and significant roles of people during WW2. Guided tours are led by our dedicated team of volunteer tour guides and are suitable for all age groups.

PARLIAMENT TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE MATHS WALKING TOUR (SELF GUIDED) KS3

This Maths trail takes you down one of London’s most historic streets, collecting information as you go related to dates and times, estimations, shapes and Roman Numerals. Starting near the Houses of Parliament and ending in Trafalgar Square, this enjoyable walk takes in many famous sites including Downing Street and the Cenotaph. The walk takes around 45 minutes. 

SOUTH KENSINGTON MATHS WALKING TOUR (SELF GUIDED) KS3

Follow our pre-set route with your students in smaller groups completing the worksheets as you go by finding or estimating the numbers you are directed towards.  This walk lasts around 45 mins- 1 hour and also allows engagement with the building styles and sizes.  Originally created by Chris Olley from King’s College London, this walk begins at South Kensington Underground Station and end at the doors of the Science Museum.

ST PAULS CATHEDRAL: LET’S BUILD A CATHEDRAL SESSION (KS3)

This visit links to units of study for Maths and Science: Forces, Materials, Light, Sound, Shapes, Size, Geometry, Measurements.

As the students are led around the Crypt and Cathedral they will; Build an arch and discover the forces and skills involved. Investigate the symbolism of light, a key element of Wren’s design. Create the structures that make up the Cathedral using their own bodies. Visit the amazing Geometric Staircase and the ‘Great Model’ up in the Triforium. Find out about Wren’s use of ‘sacred geometry’. 

Themed tours are limited and subject to availability. 

MATHS AND MAGIC SHOWS – 1 HR(KS3 -5)

Dr Matt Pritchard is a magician, comedian and creative communicator. His amazing performances both inspire and inform. An associate of the Inner Magic Circle( one of only 300 people in the world) Matt’s highly enjoyable and informative maths shows will have students talking about this for weeks! Shows include:

Magical Maths - KS3-5

Predicting the future, reading minds, sending secret messages and making objects vanish are easy when you’re a maths magician. Matt's aim is to give his audience tricks they can go away and use to amaze their friends and families. However, in doing so they will be exposed to, and be using, a surprising amount of maths. With shapes, symmetry, patterns and numbers forming the basis of the maths behind the magic.

The Man who Cannot Lose - KS4-5

It’s the taking part (and winning) that counts. From childhood games through to the greatest gamble of his life, magician Dr Matt Pritchard is on an obsessed quest to come out on top. Matt will be revealing the hidden mathematics and winning strategies behind games like Pass the Parcel, Guess Who?, Rock Paper Scissors and Russian Roulette.

From Facebook friends to Postman Pat - KS4-5

An interactive talk where the solutions to real world network problems are unravelled. What is the quickest route for a postman to take? How do you draw and colour a map efficiently? How connected are two random people? What limits the speed of internet connections? How can maths enhance a magic trick?

Something about Nothing (KS5)

Nothing is notoriously hard to grasp. However, things are set to change as Dr Matt Pritchard will attempt to fill in the empty gaps and explain almost everything there is to know about nothing. From Annihilation through to Zero. A comedy show uniquely fusing magic, multimedia and mathematics that explores the history, maths, science and philosophy behind nothing. The show features the following concepts: counting systems, zero, negative numbers, vacuums, creation & annihilation, the Big Bang, black holes, particle physics, CERN and the Large Hadron Collider. 

3D PRINTING SESSION 

This exciting new 3 hr session is provided by a senior designer at a state of the art store and office in central London. The session will include an introduction to 3-D Printing technology, demonstrations, a short tour, a Q&A and your chosen souvenir 3-D printed object.  Your visit can be tailored to your main area of interest and age of pupils. The standard sessions will focus on;

• Possibilities of a Desktop 3D Printer and the latest material innovation (with sample objects)
• A process overview from a concept idea to a 3D Printed object
• Introduction to 3D design software
• Demonstration of designing, preparing and printing a 3D design of choice

WEMBLEY STADIUM MATHS FOCUSSED TOUR

The Wembley Stadium Tour creates a wealth of exciting and inspiring learning and discovery opportunities for children and students. Wembley can complement many aspects of the school curriculum and students will be amazed by the mind blowing wealth of numerical data on offer as they learn all of the facts and figures about this unique building. These tours are both entertaining and educational, allowing students the opportunity to witness first hand where artists and sportsmen prepare while learning valuable insights into the operational workings of the most famous sport and music venue in the world. 

ALTON TOWERS: MATHS FOCUS SESSION AND VISIT (En Route Visit)

School talks and Interactive Sessions take place at the Education Centre at the Alton Towers Theme Park. The take your group into the park itself for some thrills!

Maths Session: KS3 (40 mins)

How many people ride Nemesis in an hour? How popular is Oblivion? How fast does TH13TEEN drop? Find out why Maths really counts at Alton Towers Resort. 

The Science of Rollercoasters: KS3 (40 mins)

Discover how the combination of gravity and speed affects you on a roller coaster. From velocity acceleration, energy and friction to centrifugal and centripetal forces. 

London offers a great choice of museums and attractions, many of which are an ideal complement to their learning and can be free for students. 

Highlights of London Guided Tour

A half day guided tour of the city on board your coach is a perfect way to see all the major sites. Highly recommended if this is a first time visit to London for many of your students. 

Guided tour of the London 2012 Olympic Sites

Following the outstanding success of the world’s greatest sporting event, there is now huge interest in seeing the area where our athletes won their medals.  This 2 – 2½ hour walk begins at Pudding Mill Lane and takes in the exteriors of the Aquatic Centre, the Stadium, Handball Arena (The Copper Box), the Velodrome and also the new I-City (formerly the International Press Centre). For an additional fee we can pre-book visits inside the Copper Box, the Aquatics Centre and the Orbit within your walking tour. 

Arcelormittal Orbit & 'Ride The Slide' 

With breath-taking views of London, the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide and the UK’s highest freefall abseil, the ArcelorMittal Orbit is the UK’s most exciting viewing platform. 

Enjoy a breath-taking panorama of up to 20 miles across London through stunning floor to ceiling windows before experiencing the city’s landmarks from the outside observation walkway suspended 262ft above the ground. Discover sights including Wembley Stadium, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf and get an exclusive bird’s eye view of the iconic sporting venues of London 2012. 

The Slide: A hair-raising experience that’s not for the feint-hearted? Hold on tight through the twists, turns and drops of the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide as it weaves its way through the iconic red steel frame of the UK’s tallest sculpture, the ArcelorMittal Orbit. 

Enjoy the 40 second descent in the 584ft long slide through light and dark sections at speeds of up to 15mph as The Slide loops its way around the ArcelorMittal Orbit 12 times taking visitors through gentle curves, thrilling drops and a tight corkscrew.  Take a Look > https://youtu.be/N7ee2ExjhUc

British Museum

With more than 7 million objects within its collections, the British Museum illustrates and documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. 

Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum covers conflicts involving Britain from the First World War through to the present day. The Centenary of the First World War is highly topical and with it’s new First World War galleries the IWM is a must for any group visiting London.

London Eye

Breath-taking sights make the London Eye a highlight of the city which you should not miss!

Madame Tussauds

A thrilling and exciting  visit containing inspiring wax works of some of the world’s most influential and famous people. Galleries include Sport, World Leaders, The Royal Family and Music along with the Spirit of London ride and Marvel Super Heroes 4D experience. 

Museum Of London

Step inside Museum of London for a memorable journey through London’s unsettled history. Telling London's story students can enjoy the prehistoric, Roman and medieval London galleries through to the present day.

Natural History Museum

Hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits including the ultimate dinosaur exhibition, a human biology section or visit 'Investigate' -an exciting new hands-on science centre perfect for engaging students.

Ripleys Believe It or Not Museum

Based in the heart of the West End, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is the most wonderfully weird visitor attraction in London. Home to countless curiosities collected by the legendary adventurer Robert Ripley, you’ll step into a fascinating world where the bizarre and the unbelievable come to life and where amazement is waiting around every corner. From unusual art to underwater wonders, an upside down room and even a dungeon, at Ripley’s London there are mindboggling experiences for even the wildest imagination.

Thames River Cruise

This cruise along the Thames is a great way to see some of the major sites of the city. We recommend groups take the 40 minute cruise from Westminster to Tower which takes in Westminster, Big Ben, Somerset House, London Eye, Oxo Tower, The Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower Bridge and the Tower. 

West End Theatre Performance

Whatever your London trip aims, a West End show is a great opportunity to reward those on school trips to London with a thrilling night at the theatre.  Current top West End Shows include:

• Lion King
• Wicked
• Frozen
• Matilda The Musical
• Mrs Doubtfire The Musical
• Les Misérables
• Back To The Future
• Harry Potter & The Cursed Child
• Six
• We Will Rock You
• Phantom of the Opera 
• Mamma Mia

Whatever show you are interested in seeing, we can advise you on the best time to go and arrange your group seating.

Walk Eat Talk Eat 3-hour Food & Drink Walking Tour

What better way could there be to explore the diverse cultures and communities which make up London than taking walking tour through the streets of the city where you get to sample the great range of cuisines on offer. You can try both modern and traditional dishes, British treats and foods from across the world. There are three different tours to choose from all of which centre around a few different food and drink stops where you may sit down and dine at the venue, pick up the food and taste it outside, or just walk and talk with the food. It really is a fantastic experience!

Restaurants

Make your evening meal a night out with a restaurant visit. We can book tables at an exciting range of restaurants offering pre-theatre dinner packages to suit all budgets.