A Rossall Education is about much more than what happens in the classroom - though the provision of outstanding teaching and learning is at the heart of all that we do. We believe that it is our responsibility to provide our pupils with exciting opportunities to experience the incredible cultural diversity that exists here within the United Kingdom.
Our programme of weekend activities provides an opportunity for children to experience the spectacular beauty of the North West and participate in adventurous activities in the wilds of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Visits to the great northern cities of Liverpool and Manchester are complemented by weekends in the capital cities of Dublin, Edinburgh and London. We are also thrilled to offer students the opportunity to visit the historic University cities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Our weekend programme is uniquely ambitious because we want our boarders to feel inspired by the world beyond School.
RIBBLE VALLEY AND LAKE DISTRICT
HOUSE RESIDENTIAL TRIPS
Our annual residential adventure activity courses provide pupils with an opportunity to explore the spectacular beauty of the Lake District and Trough of Bowland. Activities include kayaking, archery, rock climbing and gorge walking. Our residential weekends are very popular with both boarding and day pupils. They help to build ‘house spirit’ and to develop teamwork skills.
MICHAELMAS TERM
SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool is a city with a fascinating heritage. From the Beatles to the Battle of the Atlantic, Liverpool has played an important role in the history of our nation. The World Museum and the Liverpool Museum celebrate the city’s past whilst the International Slavery Museum explores a problematic aspect of the city’s Georgian heritage. Liverpool is also home to Anfield, the iconic and historic stadium of Liverpool FC and a number of art galleries. A visit to Liverpool’s vibrant waterfront and Royal Albert Dock provides an opportunity for cultural enrichment whilst Liverpool One is an excellent shopping centre.
TROUGH OF BOWLAND - HIKE
The Forest of Bowland offers some of the most beautiful and remote walking in the country, from the grandeur and isolation of the moorland hills to the undulating lowlands with their distinctive pattern of settlements. These landscape contrasts, along with the serenity and tranquillity of the area makes this a walker’s paradise.
LONDON
OVERNIGHT WEEKEND TRIP
Travelling down to London by train first thing on Saturday morning, we begin an action-packed weekend of activities which includes:
• Visit to the historic suburb of Greenwich
• Boat trip on the River Thames (Tower Bridge, the Tower of London etc.)
• Walk through Parliament Square, Green Park
• West End Show
• National Portrait Gallery or Natural History Museum
• British Museum
• Shopping in Bond Street/Oxford Street
SANDCASTLE WATERPARK, BLACKPOOL
Over eighteen slides and attractions including, fun pools, wave machine, water chutes, arcades, burger bars, water slides and much more besides - all in a tropical 84 degree climate!
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FOOTBALL AND CITY CENTRE SHOPPING, MANCHESTER
The National Football Museum is England’s national museum of football. It is based in the Urbis building in Manchester city centre, and preserves, conserves and displays important collections of football memorabilia.
WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON - THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER
Enter the magical world of Hogwarts, fly on a broomstick, rub shoulders with Dumbledore and Professor Snape, stand on platform 9 ¾, ride the Knight Bus and find out about how the Harry Potter films were made during this action-packed day.
GO APE, THE LAKE DISTRICT
Go wild with Five Go Ape Adventures at Grizedale Forest. This is the ultimate outdoor activity for adventurous visitors to the Lakes. High Ropes, forest segways and ziplines provide plenty of opportunity for fun amid the extraordinary beauty of the Grizedale Forest nestled between Lake Coniston and Lake Windermere.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS, NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, YORK MINSTER, YORK
York is one of the United Kingdom’s most historic cities. Ancient city walls, a Viking heritage and over thirty world class museums,York is a treasure trove of historical gems such as Clifford’s Tower and York Minster. There are few more enjoyable pastimes than wandering through the medieval cobbled streets of the city centre.
LENT TERM
JANUARY TO MARCH
MEDIA CITY UK AND IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH, MANCHESTER
Salford Quays is home to both IWM North and Media City. IWM North explores the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. It is a fascinating museum and will be of particular interest to students studying history and or politics.
EDINBURGH
OVERNIGHT WEEKEND TRIP
Weekend Trip to Edinburgh to include:
• Edinburgh Castle
The National Museum of Scotland
Shopping in Princes’ Street
• The Royal Mile
• The National Gallery of Scotland
• The Earth Museum
Edinburgh is a spectacular city with a rich history. It was the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment and is now home to the biggest arts festival in the world. It’s stunning architecture and outstanding museums sit alongside many other attractions within this busy capital city.
FLOWER BOWL -
CURLING/CINEMA
An opportunity to try the sport of curling in a beginner taster session! Whether you’re a sports lover or just curious, you’ll get 45 minutes of coachled ice time, complete with all the gear you need. Curling is for everyone—ages 11 and up, all abilities welcome!
Or simply, relax in our luxurious three-screen cinema with sofa seating and ambient lighting. Enjoy the latest movies or classics with snacks and drinks.
See you on the ice!
CHESTER AND CHESHIRE OAKS
Chester has the most complete city walls and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, plus a 1000 year old Cathedral with Europe’s finest example of medieval carvings and the 700 year old ‘Rows galleries’ for shopping.
SALTAIRE, WORLD HERITAGE SITE,
YORKSHIRE
Named after Sir Titus Salt who built a textile mill here, Salt Mills is a model village with a fascinating history. There is a permanent museum that tells the story of Saltaire and an art gallery containing paintings by David Hockney and others.
THE CARTMEL PENINSULA, CUMBRIA
Spring is a lovely time to visit the Cartmel Peninsula. We will take in a circular walk which includes Hampsfell and the beautiful shoreline of Morecambe Bay. The Bay is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom and covers a total area of 310 square kilometres.
DUBLIN
OVERNIGHT WEEKEND TRIP
Weekend Trip to Dublin to include:
• Dublin Castle
• Tour of Trinity College
• The National Gallery of Ireland
• St Patrick’s Cathedral
• Grafton Street
• Dublin Writers’ Museum
• EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum
Dublin is a wonderful city and this weekend will be of particular interest to those who wish to learn more about the birth of the modern Irish State.
Ireland has its own distinctive culture and a trip to Dublin provides the opportunity to learn more about the city’s Viking past and extraordinary reputation for literature and the arts.
PAINTBALLING
This is an action-packed trip where children get the opportunity to engage with various mission scenarios. Stealth, subterfuge and a capacity for some serious fun are essential for this activity!
TASTE OF THE YORKSHIRE DALESINGLETON WATERFALLS TRAIL, AND WHITE SCAR CAVES
Take a trip underground to explore the longest ‘show’ cave in the United Kingdom. Nearby, Ingleton Falls is a waterfall wonderland set amidst the spectacular scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. Limestone escarpments, dry stone walls, sweeping views across the valleys and an abundance of flora and fauna serve to make this a really fantastic trip for those who enjoy immersing themselves in the beauty of the countryside here in the North West.
SUMMER TERM
APRIL TO JULY
ALTON TOWERS THEME
PARK, YEAR 7 TO 10
Alton Towers is the UK’s biggest theme park. Are you bold enough to take on the awesome choice of head-spinning, heartpounding, world-class roller-coasters, like Wicker Man, Oblivion and The Smiler?
The theme park is divided into eleven areas and contains a water park, dungeon, extensive gardens and countless places to eat and relax.
ALTERNATIVE GAMES - INTER HOUSE COMPETITION
This is an action-packed trip where children get the opportunity to engage with various mission scenarios. Stealth, subterfuge and a capacity for some serious fun are essential for this activity!
SPRING LAKELAND EXPERIENCE
WINDERMERE BOAT TRIP AND WALK AROUND GUMMER’S HOW
Spring is a wonderful time to visit the Lakes. There is little in life more relaxing than a cruise along the still waters of Lake Windermere with some of England’s highest peaks framing the horizon. Gummers’ How is a hill in the southern part of the Lake District which offers breathtaking views across Lake Windermere.
MANCHESTER CITY STADIUM TOUR AND CITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY TOUR
This is an essential visit for those interested in sports and business. The facilities at MCFC are quite extraordinary and reflect the commercial success and global reach of one of the world’s best-loved and most successful football clubs. Geographers interested in urban regeneration will also find this trip fascinating.
VISIT TO STRATFORD UPON AVON AND WARWICK CASTLE
Situated in Warwickshire, the beautiful and historic town of Stratford
Upon Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It is now home to the Royal Shakespeare Company and a number of museums. Many historic timber-framed buildings remain and a walk down the high street is like taking a step back in time. Warwick Castle was originally built during the time of William the Conqueror. It is one of the UK’s finest medieval castles and was used as a stronghold until the early seventeenth century.
VISIT TO UNIVERSITY CITIES OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE
OVERNIGHT
WEEKEND TRIP
Oxford and Cambridge are the UK’s oldest universities. They both date back over eight hundred years. Stunning architecture, ancient courts, and beautiful college chapels provide an experience quite unlike any other. For those aspiring to attend elite universities (either in the UK and or overseas) this is an inspiring trip.
