Trips and activities
Having the opportunity to take part in trips and activities beyond the school is an important part of the Latymer experience.
We try and expand pupils’ horizons beyond London to give them an appreciation of the world beyond their normal environment.
It would not be possible to capture everything we do but below are some examples to give you a flavour!
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
YEAR 7
Cwm Penmachno, a small village nestled in Snowdonia National Park’s lush Machno Valley, is home to the Latymer Foundation’s residential centre, Ysgol Latymer. Acquired by the Foundation in 1966, the charming former primary school has since been transformed into a hub for outdoor learning. It is equipped with all the gear necessary to enjoy the surrounding countryside, including walking boots, waterproofs and wellies!
Each year, groups of Year 7 students embark on an outdoor adventure exploring the scenic area surrounding the valley. Points of particular interest and beauty include Conwy and Swallow Falls, and Mount Snowdon, Wales and England’s highest peak. As the terrain is so varied, students have the unique opportunity to take part in activities as diverse as hiking, raft building, canoeing, and abseiling, during a one-week stay at the centre.
With capacity for up to 40 students, Ysgol Latymer is the perfect place for our young people to get to know each other and form close bonds within their form groups. The cosy common room and communal dining area have played home to many generations of Latymerians, providing a comfortable setting for games, quizzes, and movies in the evenings.
YEAR 9
Having familiarised themselves with Snowdonia in their first year at the school, students return again in Year 9, this time staying on the outskirts of the walled market town of Conwy. For their second trip, students travel as two larger groups, usually with Ashworth, Dolbe and Keats travelling together and then Lamb, Latymer and Wyatt.
Again, our young people take part in activities aimed at building confidence and teamwork, including hill walking, kayaking, and via ferrata. The trip gives the students the opportunity to strengthen friendships within their form group but also within the year group as a whole.
LANGUAGE EXCHANGES
Having organised annual language exchanges over many years, the Latymer School has fostered strong links with other educational institutions in France, Germany and Russia. Travelling to a foreign country or staying with a host family enable students to practice speaking their chosen language, develop their knowledge of the country’s culture, and form valuable, lasting relationships with other young people across the globe.
The French Department runs an exchange trip to Tours for Year 10 students and Toulouse for Year 12 students, whilst the German Department offers a work experience exchange trip to Bielefeld. Prior to the Covid pandemic, the Russian department organised exchanges to St Petersburg and Moscow. In recent trips, the students have been to Georgia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Year 12 and 13 students studying these languages at A Level will have the choice to take part in this scheme.
OTHER TRIPS
Staff from all departments work hard to organise exciting and engaging visits that support learning inside the classroom.
There is a GCSE Latin trip every two years to the Bay of Naples which is available to all those studying Latin GCSE or A Level. During the year there are a number of trips and days out for Latin students including a Year 8 trip to the Museum of London and a number of Sixth Form Classics Lecture Days.
The Geography Department’s Year 12 visit to Iceland is a popular trip, allowing young people to experience some of the planet’s most impressive natural wonders first hand. Other activities include the annual World Trade Game, where students buy and sell products in a simulated market, and field trips within the UK, to places such as Camber Sands.
There are many other opportunities for Latymerians to travel abroad: the History Department expands its teaching of European history with visits to Normandy and Berlin; there is an annual tour for musicians, taking in a different country each year; students take part in sports tours, international matches, and ski trips.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD
Students derive extensive benefits and gain experiences that will last them a lifetime by participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. A programme of exciting and challenging activities for young people aged 14-25, the scheme offers bronze, silver and gold awards. The school works with students to achieve bronze award and then partners with Enfield for silver and gold. Participants grow in confidence, learn how to work as a team, acquire new skills and develop friendships.
WITHIN THE SCHOOL
Staff often arrange for visits and events within school. In the past, students have participated in workshops and talks with renowned artists and authors. We regularly welcome theatre groups, who perform a variety of productions in English, as well as target foreign languages. A highlight of the calendar is also the Year 8 Science Fair and Forensics Day.
And there’s much more! Learn more about extra-curricular activities in each department by visiting the Curriculum page with the Academic life section.