Bishop Auckland, County Durham — St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College has unveiled an exciting new initiative designed to enhance its enrichment programme and broaden students’ cultural experiences. The newly launched “Soar and Explore” programme aims to provide more opportunities for travel, learning, and global awareness across all year groups.
The initiative has been developed in response to feedback from parents, carers, and students, with a clear focus on strengthening the school’s cultural enrichment provision and expanding access to international and educational visits.
Expanding Horizons Through Enrichment
“Soar and Explore” has been created with a number of key aims in mind, including:
- Broadening students’ horizons and experiences
- Expanding cultural enrichment and international trip opportunities
- Enhancing existing programmes such as the Turing Scheme, Project Peru and the Ski Trip
- Providing families with an annual Trip Calendar to support forward planning
- Ensuring all students have the opportunity to take part in enrichment experiences
The programme represents a significant step forward in making enrichment more accessible, structured, and inclusive for the entire school community.
New Capital City Trips for Years 7–10
As part of the initiative, St John’s will introduce four new capital city trips into a rolling annual calendar. These visits will be available to students in Years 7 to 10, offering each year group a unique cultural experience.
This new addition will complement the school’s existing opportunities, which include:
- The Turing Scheme
- Project Peru (Sixth Form)
- Year 11 Ski Trip
- Departmental and sporting visits
By expanding its offer, the school is ensuring that enrichment opportunities are varied, progressive, and available to students at every stage of their journey.
Planning Ahead: Trip Calendar and Expressions of Interest
To support families with planning, St John’s will provide a clear annual calendar of trips, giving parents and carers greater visibility of upcoming opportunities.
Parents of students currently in Years 7–9 have already received expression of interest forms for the 2027 trips, with a submission deadline of Wednesday 3 June.
Looking ahead, expressions of interest for 2028 trips — including a planned visit to Rome — will be shared in October, continuing the structured rollout of the programme.
Opportunities for New Starters
Families of current Year 6 students preparing to join St John’s in September will also be included. Information on how to register interest for the Year 7 London trip will be provided during the school’s Induction Day in July.
Supporting Student Experience
A spokesperson for St John’s highlighted the importance of the initiative, noting its role in enhancing student experience, cultural understanding, and personal development.
For further information or queries about the Soar and Explore programme or upcoming trips, parents and carers are encouraged to contact Mrs Rose, Assistant Headteacher.
With the launch of “Soar and Explore”, St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering a rich, inclusive, and forward-thinking enrichment programme, helping students gain valuable experiences both inside and beyond the classroom.