Visits, Experiences and Residentials

As part of the Laidlaw Schools Trust, Academy 360 is supported by the Laidlaw Foundation to provide extraordinary experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. These opportunities allow our students to apply character skills in real-world contexts, adapt to new environments and develop essential social and cultural competencies.

For our Secondary Phase, these experiences are designed to broaden horizons, raise aspirations and prepare students for life beyond education. They include:

• Career-Focused Visits - Students have recently visited organisations such as Nissan, BT Group, University of Sunderland and East Durham College to explore pathways into employment and further education.
• Trust-Wide Events - Year 7 students attended the launch of the LST Olympics, joining peers from across the Trust to take part in sports and team-building activities.
• Residential Opportunities - Supported by the Laidlaw Foundation, we aim to provide residential experiences that challenge students, build independence and develop resilience.
• Cultural and Enrichment Trips - Visits to local and regional venues help students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and strengthen cultural capital.

These experiences are essential in helping students develop confidence, ambition and the skills needed for success in modern Britain. They form an integral part of our curriculum intent by supporting personal development and careers education in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring students are well-prepared for future education, training and employment.