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Citizenship School Trips

Society, law and politics

What citizenship trips in the UK promote democracy, rights, and community involvement for students?

Citizenship school visits include parliament tours, community projects, and debate workshops building awareness of social issues, active citizenship, and global responsibilities.

The National Curriculum for schools at Key Stage 3 and 4 inspires children to learn about how the United Kingdom is governed, and how to engage as a citizen in the political and democratic systems. Citizenship will teach the principals of law and justice, critical thinking, how to engage in political debate, and personal financial planning.

Ofsted's requirements for 'cultural capital' development include four key British values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith. All of which work together to show pupils how they as individuals can actively participate as citizens of our society.

Topic areas such as the judicial system and law, politics, and finance are central to citizenship and many teachers are finding that citizenship school trips are a great way to help children understand and make sense of what can otherwise be quite a difficult subject area.

Below you will find a range of UK school trip venues as well as some overseas study tours, all of which specialise in citizenship themed educational experiences. These range from mock parliaments and trials, staged debates, to witnessing how government functions at a local and national level.

View our Cultural Education Experiences

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Citizenship topics: Alcohol and drugs awareness, British Values, Crime and Punishment, Criminology, Democracy, Diversity and Inclusion, Environment and Climate, Functions and uses of money, Gangs Awareness, Human rights and international law, International Relations, Laws and the justice system, Monarchy, National regional religious and ethnic identities, Online Safety, Personal development and resilience, Politics and parliament, Team building, Voting and elections, and more.

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Popular school trip November 2026 !

The Bushcraft Company - Badminton Woods

location icon South West
apple iconBushcraft, Citizenship, Geography, Environmental Geography, Physical Education, PSHE, Wildlife, SEN, Outdoor Learning


Students work in smaller groups of around 15 students, aiming to encourage communication and inclusion. The activities are designed so the students work collaboratively to achieve the end goal and realise their own potential. We put their skills to the test in multiple situations where they can trul...

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children learning about crime and punishment during a school trip to peterhead prison ukvenue/peterhead_prison_2750ppn.webp
Peterhead Prison
map pin Scotland

Peterhead Prison offers students the chance to step outside the classroom with our educational visits. During these visits, students will explore the rich history of Scotland's toughest jail and uncover some of its most fascinating stories.
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bug hotel ukvenue/living_things_and_habitat_heroes_2421ape.webp
Living things and Habitat Heroes
map pin in-school workshop

Marine Litter - Citizenship, Biology and Sustainability This workshop explores citizenship and personal responsibility, encouraging pupils to consider how their everyday choices can affect the...
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white water kayaks subject/Citizenship_668.webp
Crowden Outdoor Education Centre
map pin East Midlands

In the heart of the Peak District, Crowden Outdoor Educational Centre has been working with schools and youth groups since 1979. Creating bespoke outdoor learning opportunities and utilising the natural environment for a real adventure.
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children in a school hall workshop ukvenue/british_values_1403xbd.webp
British Values Day
map pin in-school workshop

Our Three British Values Days: British Values: The Law This Learn and Present is focused on democracy in the UK. How laws are made and upheld and how our country has developed over the years....
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British flags
British Values
map pin online/in-school workshop

Meet the enthusiastic Sally Spade, a keen follower of all things British! Through drama, teamwork, poetry, and improvisation, explore the meaning and importance of 'British Values' and the part they play in our lives.
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school field with maths workshop activities
Maths Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

Pupils Work individually, in groups and altogether to either create one large structure, or they remain in groups to make their own structure e.g Bridge, Shelter, Sculpture. The teamwork and resilience needed helps develop pupils cooperative intelligence.
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World war I poster
World War 1
map pin in-school workshop

During this workshop certain activities will require team working to achieve an end goal. WW1 cannot be explored without looking at the politics that surrounded it. The underline message is about the fight for freedom and democracy but with a tragic message.
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school child in workshop
Drug and Alcohol Awareness
map pin in-school workshop

Our performances explore challenging issues and choices that young people may be faced with as they grow into adulthood. Eyes Open helps children explore drugs and alcohol, considering both the legal...
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school class building a ferris wheel out of wooden canes
Ferris Wheel
map pin in-school workshop

Pupils Work individually, in groups and altogether to create one large structure, or remaining in groups make their own structure. e.g. bridge, shelter, sculpture. The teamwork and resilience needed helps develop pupils cooperative intelligence.
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Image showing PSHE workshops for KS2 and KS3 for online school workshops
E-Safety Workshops online
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The lesson helps students achieve learning outcomes identified in Education for a Connected World framework 2020. Learning Outcomes: I can give examples of how bullying behaviour could appear...
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child on climbing wall at hangloose adventure eden
Hangloose Adventure Eden
map pin South West

At Hangloose Adventure, many activities are designed to aid personal development such as team building, problem-solving but also social skill development. Individuals will discover their own...
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Saxon sword, helmet and horn on a table
Saxon Sovereignty - A kingdom for a Nation
map pin in-school workshop

From the dawn of time we have been learning the key concepts of citizenship. From what we perceive as being the lawless uncultured past of our Neanderthal cousins we are beginning to discover a...
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children reconstructing a windrush era boat
Empire Windrush
map pin in-school workshop

Pupils Work individually, in groups and altogether to create one large structure, or remaining in groups make their own structure. e.g. bridge, shelter, sculpture. The teamwork and resilience needed helps develop pupils cooperative intelligence.
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school children running in cuffley woods
The Bushcraft Company - Cuffley Woods
map pin East of England

Students work in smaller groups of around 15 students, aiming to encourage communication and inclusion. The activities are designed so the students work collaboratively to achieve the end goal and...
> read

digital resilience graphic
Digital Resilience: Thinking Clearly in an Online World
map pin in-school workshop

Digital Resilience helps pupils become more thoughtful, responsible and independent in the way they behave and make decisions online. Through interactive scenarios and discussion, pupils explore how...
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healthy relationships graphic
Boundaries, Respect & Assertiveness: Building Healthier Relationships
map pin in-school workshop

Boundaries, Respect & Assertiveness helps pupils develop personal responsibility, respectful communication and greater confidence in handling peer pressure, disagreement and difficult social...
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Image for team building workshops for schools KS2 KS3 PSHE
Team Building @ Your School
map pin in-school workshop

Communication is a key life skill, working as a team to create a continuous ball roll, keeping equilibrium on the balance table and solving the maze conundrum are impossible without developing key skills such as communication, listening & leadership.
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Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II- A Celebration 1926-2022
map pin online/in-school workshop

By looking at the life of the longest reigning monarch, this workshop will explore what it means to be 'British' and Queen Elizabeth's sense of duty and beliefs have helped shape us in to the society we are today.
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school workshop showing children building a bridge
Bridge Building For KS1
map pin in-school workshop

Pupils Work individually, in groups and altogether to create one large structure, or remaining in groups make their own structure. e.g. bridge, shelter, sculpture. The teamwork and resilience needed helps develop pupils cooperative intelligence.
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Roman history workshop in a school hall
Roman School Workshops
map pin in-school workshop

Pupils Work individually, in groups and altogether to create one large structure, or remaining in groups make their own structure. e.g. bridge, shelter, sculpture. The teamwork and resilience needed helps develop pupils cooperative intelligence.
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Citizenship School Trips FAQ: Democracy Visits, Workshops and SEND Tips for Teachers

Why are citizenship trips valuable for schools?
Citizenship trips help students understand democracy, rights, and responsibilities in real settings. Visiting places such as parliaments, courts, or community organisations allows pupils to see how laws and civic systems work. These experiences make topics such as democracy, equality, and community participation more meaningful than classroom theory alone.

Citizenship workshop at school or trip out - which works best?
Workshops in school focus on debates, role play, and discussions about rights and responsibilities (£150-£400). Trips to councils, courts, or parliaments provide real world insight into government and justice systems. Many schools use workshops to introduce key ideas and trips to deepen understanding for older pupils.

Free citizenship places schools can visit?
Yes. Tours of the Houses of Parliament in London are free for UK schools. Local council meetings and public sessions can often be attended without charge. Community centres and charities sometimes offer volunteering days or educational visits at no cost.

Top 10 citizenship school trips teachers recommend (2027 check):

1. Houses of Parliament, London (democracy and government, free)
2. People's History Museum, Manchester (civil rights and democracy)
3. In-school debate workshops (discussion and public speaking)
4. International Slavery Museum, Liverpool (human rights and equality)
5. National Justice Museum, Nottingham (law and justice)
6. Eden Project, Cornwall (global citizenship and sustainability)
7. Local charities or community groups (volunteering experiences)
8. Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh (government and legislation)
9. Senedd, Cardiff (Welsh government and democracy)
10. United Nations Association education events (global citizenship)

Citizenship trips for SEND pupils - what helps?
Some venues provide signed tours and accessible learning sessions. Museums often offer quiet spaces and sensory friendly experiences. Role play activities and structured discussions can help develop social understanding. Planning accessibility with venues in advance ensures the trip works for all pupils.

Typical cost for citizenship trips:
- Free tours plus travel: £4-£12 per child
- Museums or learning centres: £6-£15 entry
- Workshops: £150-£400
- Residential community projects: £130-£250 per child

Some citizenship learning opportunities are free through charities or community organisations.

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Citizenship Curriculum in Primary Schools to Promote Digital, Financial, and Environmental Issues

Upcoming national curriculum changes will make citizenship education compulsory in primary schools from September 2028, focusing on media literacy, financial skills, and understanding democracy, to prepare students as active and responsible citizens....

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