Our students at Calthorpe always look forward to the winter term since it offers them so many opportunities to learn outside the classroom! A few of our students have delighted in ringing in the festive period by visiting the Frankfurt Christmas Market, which has turned Birmingham City Centre into a mystical, authentic 19th-century village. It serves hot chocolate, filling German delicacies, and, of course, vendor stalls offering a variety of gifts!

Our students had the chance to apply what they had learnt in the classroom, expand and enhance their cultural capital, practice their social skills, and have fun, to mention a few benefits of this trip!

We understand that, for our learners and their families, trips and visits to new or special places can occasionally be quite difficult for a number of reasons, such as sensory differences (such as extreme sensitivity to noise) or social anxiety, which can make "going out" a stressful experience for everyone.

At Calthorpe, we think this is why it is even more crucial that their "school" experience includes visits, under the supervision and support of the qualified adults who work with them, so they can be involved in the community and take part in events, as well as become engaged citizens of Birmingham.