We believe that educational visits are an integral part of the entitlement of every child to an effective and balanced curriculum. Appropriately planned visits are known to enhance learning and improve attainment and so form a key part of what makes St John’s CE (Thornham) a supportive and effective learning environment. The benefits of children taking part in visits and learning outside the classroom include (but are not limited to):

• Improvements in their ability to cope with change and novelty
• Increased critical curiosity and resilience
• Opportunities for creativity, developing learning relationships and practicing strategic awareness
• Increased levels of trust and opportunities to examine the concept of trust (us in them, them in us, them in themselves, them in each other)
• Improved achievement and attainment across a range of curricular subjects. Students are active participants not passive consumers and a wide range of learning styles can flourish.
• Enhanced opportunities for ‘real world’ ‘learning in context’ and the development of the social and emotional aspects of intelligence.
• Increased risk management skills through opportunities for involvement in practical risk-benefit decisions giving them the tools and experience necessary to assess their own risks in a range of contexts.
• Greater sense of personal responsibility
• Possibilities for genuine team working including enhanced communication skills
• Improved environmental appreciation, knowledge, awareness and understanding of a variety of environments.
• Improved awareness and knowledge of the importance and practices of sustainability.
• Physical skill acquisition and the development of a fit and healthy lifestyle.