Dear Parents/Guardians
I hope your child is looking forward to another exciting year at the College with several enriching educational visits planned for students in all year groups. Each year group will have a minimum of three trips planned for them that will enrich their learning in the curriculum as well as provide memorable experiences during their time at St Joseph’s College. Trip packages also provide parents with an upfront detail of the costings involved. We believe this provides transparency and enough notice for parents to understand the costs involved for trips across the academic year. Trips will be billed in your half term extras invoice, and you will receive one per term. Please see below for brief summaries of the educational visits planned for your child. Information regarding departure and arrival times or specific equipment needed will be communicated closer to the date of the trip. These trips are a compulsory aspect to the educational provision we provide at the College, and we are confident that they will provide an enriching experience for all our students.
Go Ape
Adventures push us out of our comfort zones, and the greatest rewards come from overcoming challenges, feeling scared or uncomfortable and pushing through barriers to feel a sense of achievement. Students will spend a day participating in activities that will push them both mentally and physically, as well as allowing them to work collaboratively with their peers.
Venue: Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell RG12 7QW
Date(s): Thursday 18 September 2025
Method of travel: Coach
Dress: Casual
Kintbury
As part of the continuing enrichment provision, Year 9 students will experience a day of spiritual retreat at St Cassian’s Centre, Kintbury. The day will be a chance for reflection on the year so far, and through spiritual and personal development activities, we intend to continue to develop positive relationships within the year group.
Venue: Wallingtons Rd, Kintbury, Hungerford RG17 9SR
Date(s): Friday 20 March 2026
Method of travel: Coach
Dress: Casual
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze or Personal Development Course
Students in Year 9 are given the option to take part in either the Duke of Edinburgh Award or a three day, in-school personal development programme. Pupils will be presented the two options during an assembly next week.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE)
The DofE has been running since 1957 and has continued to grow ever since. The DofE is offered worldwide and has established an internationally recognised brand. It aims to provide an enjoyable, non-competitive, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development. There are three Awards: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. A DofE Programme consists of activities across four different sections (Expedition, Physical, Skills and Volunteering). The College is a Directly Licenced Centre offering the Bronze Award to Year 9 and the Gold Award at Sixth Form. Due to the large number of pupils taking part we continue to work with Wilderness Expertise, an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Award, to deliver the expedition section. This not only increases the number of places we can offer but ensures the very best training and support to make the expeditions challenging and rewarding. Expedition training, practice and assessment take place over four days. Please ensure that you son/daughter can make all dates prior to signing up for the Award.
Personal Development Programme (PD): Those not taking part in Duke of Edinburgh Award will undertake three days of personal development training designed to help pupils develop vital life skills in self-esteem, communication, resilience, trust and collaboration.
DofE Bronze
Venue: Newbury, West Berkshire
Date(s): Tuesday 30 June – Thursday 2 July 2026
Method of travel: Coach
Dress: Appropriate clothing and equipment
Personal Development
Venue: St Joseph’s College
Date(s): Tuesday 30 June – Thursday 2 July 2026
Method of travel: N/A
Dress: Casual
Total Cost of Year 9 Trip Package (DofE): £336
Total Cost of Year 9 Trip Package (PD): £201
Please note that for any educational visits that require any personal data to be provided to third party companies (such as tour companies, Airline companies), the College will ensure that the necessary checks are made to conform with the GDPR prior to any data being disseminated.
Invoicing
The cost of your trip package will be split into three equal instalments as follows:
October Half Term Extras: £112 (DofE) /£67 (PD)
February Half Term Extras Invoice: £112 (DofE) /£67 (PD)
May Half Term Extras Invoice: £112 (DofE) /£67 (PD)
Please do not hesitate to contact me, should you have any questions about your child’s trip package.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Mathew Jones
Assistant Head (Enrichment & Extension)
