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| Cross-curricular school trip |
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What is it about?
Learning 'outside the walls' of their school and outside the box of exclusive curriculum subjects gives students a new perspective on learning – and leadership.
 For this project, Twist motivated underperforming Year 8 GT students with a challenge: to become experts on the 19th century's history, literature, art, geology and geography in 'Brontë country', then plan and oversee a two-day trip to Yorkshire for Year 7 students. The students developed confidence, leadership and management skills and re-engaged with learning as a whole. The group planned activities such as a ten-mile walk across the moors, outdoor readings from Wuthering Heights, rock climbing, a trip to Brontë Parsonage Museum and a ride on a steam railway. The older students gave a tour of a 19th-century hostel, encouraging the younger group to make insightful observations about the lives of the rich and poor in the 19th century.
Aside from the obvious benefits for urban schoolchildren experiencing the countryside (many for the first time), the students enjoyed meeting the challenges (physical and otherwise) of the trips. They grew in confidence, built strong relationships, learned how to lead and re-kindled their interest in learning and their aspirations in life. Feedback
"The difficult things were actually the most fun. It was really rewarding and made you feel good about yourself." Student "This was a valuable learning experience because it taught me responsibility towards younger children and how to be in charge." Student
"Before the trip R. was very shy with people she didn’t know. She’s blossomed since and has become a much more confident young person and much more outgoing."
"Before the trip, R. would chatter all day. Although she’s bright and clever, she was underachieving quite markedly. The challenge of the trip changed her – she has improved 1000% since. Its done wonders for her and she’s now near the top of the class. She's more self-contained, quietly confident. She’s improved socially as well – she’s much more polite and friendly and gets on better with other people. Before the trip, she was very clingy and needy but now she's more confident, which is magnificent!"
"All of them really gained in confidence. I think that walk nearly killed them but the survivors really benefitted!" Year 8 Form Tutor and Learning Support Assistant
"Before the trip, I. was very distracted in lessons but now he wants to do well, to improve his marks and do well in life.”
"V. has recently asked me if he could read more books." "Recently R. volunteered to lead a classroom group... definitely a massive change in her character.""With a recent English project, they wanted to relate it to art and drama as well." Year 8 English Teacher
"They have taken much more responsibility when it comes to practical work and they’re more willing to speak up in class. They seem more confident compared to their peers …. They’re trying to influence others and direct them more. They also contributed to a class discussion on rock cycles, based on their observations in Yorkshire." Year 8 Science Teacher
"Several of the students have made good, positive changes." "Before, R. was in her shell, but now has become much more vocal and wants to participate in class. It’s like she’s got that boost of confidence."
"Before the trip, A. didn't know where to channel his energy and used to 'take over'. Now he likes to delegate more – he’s still involved, but isn't such a control freak…"
"U. is much more positive in the classroom and wants to do a lot more." Year 8 Humanities Teacher
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