Dear Parent/Carer,
Cultural Capital Day (Years 8 & 9) – Wednesday 17th December 2025
At the end of Module 2, the Academy will host the first of three Cultural Capital events planned for this academic year. These Cultural Capital days, along with the dedicated week at the end of the year, are a true highlight of our Academy calendar. They provide students with enriching experiences and opportunities to take part in exciting activities beyond the classroom, in line with National Curriculum guidance. The next Cultural Capital Day will take place on Wednesday 17th December.
In recognition of our students’ positive contributions to Academy life, and in line with our rewards system, priority for the upcoming trips will be given to those who have demonstrated excellent attendance and punctuality, commitment to learning, and ambassadorship within our Academy community. We are delighted to inform you that your child meets these criteria and, as a result, will receive first choice of the paid-for educational visit on offer, before places are offered to the wider Academy.
Some trips are paid-for trips and will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. The trips will be available to buy on ParentPay from Friday 7th November 20245. Students receiving this letter will have 7 days to make their choice before trips are made available to all other students on Friday 14th November. Paid-for trips are non-refundable due to the Academy’s financial commitments to external providers, and places on each trip are subject to our Academy’s Behaviour Policy. Students who do not select a paid-for trip will be allocated a place on one of the free museum trips. Failure to pay in full or by the instalment amount may result in your child’s place being forfeited.
All trips will see students travel on public transport. Where there is a cost to travel this has been included in the price. All trips will commence at the Academy, and students will return to the Academy at the end of the trip so that they can be registered before being dismissed. If a trip returns before the end of the Academy day, students will be dismissed upon arrival. Any trip expected back later than the end of the Academy day is indicated below. All students should attend in their normal Academy uniform and are advised to wear appropriate winter travel clothing, suitable for colder December temperatures. They will also need to bring a packed lunch and students eligible for a Free School Meal will be provided with a packed lunch. Spending money for souvenirs is to be kept to a reasonable amount.
Your child can choose one of the following trips and visits. All of these trips take place on the same day.
1) Imperial War Museum, London, 30 spaces, free (Year 9 only)
This experience is part of the Year 9 history curriculum and will take students on a journey through the Second World War, looking at political decisions that impacted the lives of millions. Students will return to the Academy at approximately 2.20pm, depending on the frequency of trains, where students will be dismissed.
2) Museum of London, Docklands, 40 spaces, free (Year 8 only)
Students will visit several galleries here, linked with their English, History and Geography curriculums. From the Great Fire of London, to the role the river and docks have played in immigration and business, students will investigate several lines of enquiry related to life in London.
3) Bank of England, London, 30 spaces, free. Students will practise their mathematical skills and experience the heart of the United Kingdom’s financial institution at the Bank of England museum. They will learn about money, the economy, the history of the Bank of England, and how the economy works on a global and local scale. Students should arrive at the Academy for 8.25am and will return to the Academy at approximately 2.20pm, depending on the frequency of buses.
4) The Hunterian Museum, London, 40 spaces, free (Year 9 only). Future doctors and scientists will discover the art and science of surgery from ancient times to the present day. The Hunterian Museum includes the display of over 2,000 anatomical preparations from Hunter’s original collection, alongside instruments, equipment, models, paintings and archive material, which trace the history of surgery from ancient times to the latest robot-assisted operations. The Museum includes England’s largest public display of human anatomy.
5) Design Museum, London, 30 spaces, free. The Design Museum is devoted to contemporary design in every form, from architecture and fashion to graphics, product and industrial design. Supporting the National Curriculum for Design and Technology, students will participate in a workshop experience exploring ASMR. Students should return to the academy by 3pm.
6) The Cartoon Museum, London, 30 spaces, £4. The Cartoon Museum is a London museum for British cartoons, caricatures and comic strips. The museum has a library of over 5,000 books and 4,000 comics. Students will take part in a practical WW1 and WW2 themed workshop exploring propaganda and art during the war years.
7) Museum of the Home, East London, 30 spaces. The Museum of the Home explores home and home life from 1600 to the present day, with galleries which ask questions about ‘home’, present diverse lived experiences alongside a series of period room displays. Students will explore how we lived in the past and how we might live in the future.
8) Wembley football Stadium Tour, Wembley, £19, 30 spaces. Students will visit the world-famous Wembley Stadium, home to the national football team and host of world-wide sporting and entertainment events, to explore the country’s history and love for the national sport- football. Students should arrive at the Academy at 9am and will return to the Academy at approximately 2.20pm depending on the frequency of trains.
9) The Reach Climbing Wall, Woolwich, £11.25, 32 spaces. Students will visit one of the country’s largest bouldering climbing walls in the country, and enjoy a workshop with trained coaches at the centre. Students attending this trip should come to the Academy in PE kit. Climbing equipment, including shoes, are provided by the centre. Students should arrive at the Academy for 10.35am, as our booking slot is at 12pm. Students will travel to The Reach by public transport, returning to the Academy for 2.00pm.
10) Laser Quest, Greenwich, £15, 30 spaces. Laser Quest offers adrenaline pumping exhilaration through quests of strategy, agility and intelligence. Competitive students will develop group and collaborative skills through 3 games. Each player will be kitted out with a futuristic body pack and carries a laser. Each game is played in the Laser Quest labyrinth, with catwalks, mazes, swirling fog, special effects, music and lights. Students should arrive at the Academy for 10am, as our booking slot is at 11am. Students will travel to Greenwich by public transport, returning to the Academy for 2pm.
11) Escape Room, Whitechapel, £27 (payable in 2 instalments). Students will test their teamwork, inference, and general knowledge skills in a race against the clock to escape a puzzle room. Students should arrive at the Academy for 10.35am, as our booking slot is at 12pm. Students will travel to Whitechapel by public transport, returning to the Academy for 2.20pm.
12) Wicked The Musical, Apollo Theatre, Victoria, £25.50, (payable in 2 instalments). Wicked the Musical tells the untold story of the witches of Oz in one of the most successful musicals of all time. We will be attending a matinee performance, which commences at 2.30pm. Students should arrive at school for 11.00am. We will then travel to the theatre by public transport. We will return to the Academy for approximately 18.30pm, where students will need to be collected from the Academy by a parent/carer. Please indicate on ParentPay how your child will make their way home at the end of this trip.
All trips will commence at the Academy, and students will return to the Academy at the end of the trip so that they can be registered before being dismissed. If a trip returns before the end of the Academy day, students will be dismissed upon arrival back to the Academy. Students will travel via public transport utilising the free travel offer for students from Transport for London.
Only students attending The Reach Climbing Wall trip should wear their Academy PE kit. All other students should wear their normal Academy uniform and are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the weather and travelling on public transport. Spending money for souvenirs is to be kept to a reasonable amount.
Your child will be able to make their selection for one of the trips listed above via Parent Pay. This is the case for paid-for and free trips.
If you have any questions, please email a member of your child’s small school team.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs H. Panton | Deputy Head of Turing School