School trip for class with complex needs?

[blueemerald]

Hi everyone,
As some may know I work in a special needs secondary school in London. My class is the lowest ability class in the school (8 students in all, 6 girls and 2 boys. Conditions include severe autism X 2, Down's Syndrome and autism X 1, Angelman's Syndrome X 1, Global Developmental Delay X 4, Epilepsy X 3, febrile convulsions X 1 severe learning difficulties X 8...6 are padded and 3 have a few words of speech, the others are pre/non verbal....Phew! I adore them all).

We have been offered an all expenses paid school trip by a wealthy local [excited!] but are struggling to come up with something "age appropriate" that they will actually enjoy. Some cannot walk that far/are not that stable on their feet.

I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas where to take this wonderful but challenging class?

So far we have thought of
London Aquarium (they all love water!)
Battersea Park Children's Zoo
Planetarium Show?
Some kind of Soft Play/Wacky Warehouse (our students are 11-15 so I don't think this would be possible?)
Bowling?

I've just found Thames Valley Adventure Playground for Children and Adults with Special Needs! It looks amazing! Has anyone been?

Dont discount soft play blue, some soft play centres in large factory type buildings are perfectly suited to teenagers and can often be hired privately in the evening if they could cope with that. Or maybe a kind hearted owner would close for a day time event, especially if you were paying. I bet they woyld love it.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

I haven't been - but you reminded me of Heathrow Special Needs Farm?

I've been to TVAP..and it's pretty good. I went with my own son and a special needs group, but I also have a school class VERY similar to yours and it is a nice place. Best if it's not raining as there are some nice bits outside (accessible play stuff, trikes etc etc) inside the soft play is nice, sensory room etc.

If you aren't toooo far away I can also REALLY recommend Thomley Hall Activity Centre. It is off the A40 just as you come off the M40 London-Oxford. Personally I think it beats TVAP.. it would make a fab whole day out.
thomleyactivitycentre.org/take-a-tour/

We take classes from our school there a LOT (SLD school) and there is something for everything..it is much larger than TVAP and the facilities are amazing. They also do Soundabout at Thomley Hall barn.. a multi sensory/music experience and if I could I would take my kids there every week.. it is simply brilliant..

[http://www.soundabout.org.uk/]] We took a class of older teens, with very severe autism and LDS there a year ago and the way the children responded was simply amazing..and moving...

what about a boat trip down the thames from The tower to greenwich, in to greenwich park (when the bloody rain stops) the can run araound as much or as little as they want or are able, theres climbing stuff, swings a sandpit, wheelchair swing etc.

what about regents park zoo
hyde park, kensington gardens diana memorial

Thank you everyone for your amazing suggestions! I will put them all to the rest of the classroom staff tomorrow and let you know what we decide. I don't know if we'd get h&s ok for a boat ride and we go to a local park/playground once a week for 'P.E.'