Sent to parents and carers of 10A & 10C Business on 13/10/26
GCSE Business Trip to Colchester Zoo
for Classes 10A & 10C on Tuesday 17 November 2026
We have an exciting opportunity to take 45 Year 10 Business students to Colchester Zoo for the day. The purpose of this visit is to allow students to embed their learning of how businesses are built. Students will be taking part in an educational workshop called Marketing Talk which links to topic 1.2 in the curriculum (spotting a business opportunity). This visit will hopefully bring the topics they are studying to life as students will look into market research, market segmentation and the competitive environment.
We will travel by coach in the morning, take part in a Marketing workshop and then have an opportunity to look around the zoo’s attractions. November weather is unpredictable, so students are encouraged to bring a light jacket just in case. Students are allowed to be in non-school uniform, however, as we are representing the school students will be required to dress smartly. This will mean that learners should not arrive in ripped jeans, tracksuit bottoms or tops as an example. We advise on smart comfortable footwear.
Students are required to bring a packed lunch and sufficient non-fizzy drinks for the duration of the trip. They may bring money for the souvenir shop at the zoo, which we will visit if we have time before get back on the coach.
We will be travelling by coach, departing the academy at 9:30 and we anticipate arriving back at the academy at approximately 15:00. Arrangements will therefore need to be made for collecting your child at that time unless they are allowed to make their own way home as usual.
Visits play an important part in the learning of our students and we understand the financial demands placed on parents resulting from our school activities, which is why this trip has been subsidised in part the by academy. A voluntary contribution of £12 is payable which covers the cost of transport. Should we receive insufficient interest or contributions to make this trip financially viable, it will be cancelled.
We will be carrying a first aid kit and at least one member of staff accompanying the visit is a qualified first aider. Any student who would normally receive a free school meal will be provided with a packed lunch on the day, provided this is requested in advance on the Evolve consent portal. This visit is fully covered by the academy’s insurance policy with the Department for Education.
In order for your child to participate in this trip, you will need to make payment online through your child’s MCAS account. Payment should be made no later than 23 October 2026 and it will appear shortly as an item to purchase. Please do not add the trip payment to your child’s dinner money account because it is not transferrable.
If you do not have access to MCAS, you can request it by emailing WES-Data@attrust.org.uk. We cannot accept cash or cheque payments in school.
Please look out for a separate email from Evolve, our trip management system, where you will need to give consent for your child to participate in this trip.
If you have any questions with regards to the trip, please do not hesitate to contact me at school.
Kind regards
Mr M Opukah
Team Leader for Vocational Subjects
E: mike.opukah@attrust.org.uk