Trips & Expeditions at Sunmarke

Curriculum-linked journeys that extend learning, build character and prepare students for life beyond school.

Learning beyond the classroom

Where curiosity becomes experience and confidence grows.

At Sunmarke, learning does not stop at the classroom door. Educational trips and expeditions are an integral part of our whole-school approach, designed to enrich the curriculum, broaden perspectives and develop confident, independent learners. Thoughtfully planned and carefully linked to academic programmes, every trip provides students with meaningful real-world experiences that support both personal growth and academic success.

From local day visits to international expeditions, our trips reflect our belief that Where Amazing Happens extends far beyond the school gates.

Your Peace of Mind

Why Trips Matter at Sunmarke

Our trips and expeditions are designed to help students:

Deepen subject understanding through real-world application
Build confidence, independence and resilience
Strengthen teamwork, leadership and communication skills
Develop global awareness and cultural understanding
Live out the values of a Sunmarke student and the attributes of our Learner Profile

Trips are embedded within our wider curriculum and Positive Education framework, ensuring a balanced focus on academic progress, wellbeing and character development.

Every experience carries a clear cross-curricular theme. Students are encouraged to connect learning across subjects and reflect on how experiences shape their understanding of the world. Through these opportunities, students grow not only academically, but personally. They become more reflective, more capable and more globally minded.

Adventure Awaits

A Progressive Journey from Primary to Sixth Form

Our programme is intentionally designed as a journey that grows with the child.

Curiosity Begins Here

Primary & Lower Secondary Experiences

Younger students take part in carefully curated local and regional trips that enhance classroom learning and curriculum themes. These experiences nurture curiosity, independence and confidence in a safe and supportive environment.

Students engage in:

Cultural and heritage visits
Science, innovation and sustainability experiences
Outdoor and environmental learning
Creative and performing arts opportunities

These early experiences lay the foundations for future residential and international opportunities.

Next-Level Independence

UAE Residential Trips Building Independence

From Year 7 onwards, students begin to participate in UAE-based residential trips, offering their first extended learning experience away from home.

The Al Ain Adventure

Welcome to Secondary Adventure – Al Ain

Year 7

In Year 7, students travel to Al Ain where they take part in a range of water sports and outdoor team-building activities.

This residential focuses on:

Collaboration and teamwork
Resilience and confidence
Leadership in new environments
Independence away from home

For many students, this is a significant milestone. It builds the habits and confidence required for future challenge.

From Waves to Wild

Bear Grylls Annual Camp, Ras Al Khaimah

Year 8

In Year 8, students visit Bear Grylls in Ras Al Khaimah. Here they step further outside their comfort zone and experience learning beyond city life.

Students develop:

Survival skills and practical problem-solving
Teamwork and leadership
Environmental awareness
Foundational astronomy through night sky exploration

These residentials act as a vital stepping stone, preparing students for regional and international travel in the years ahead.

Secondary & Sixth Form

Subject Enrichment and International Opportunities
Local Day Trips

Across Secondary, subject departments organise curriculum-linked local day trips that enhance academic learning through real-world exposure.

These include:

Science and technology visits
Business, economics and enterprise experiences
Creative arts and media industry exposure
Environmental and sustainability-focused learning

Students make meaningful connections between theory and practice and see how their learning applies beyond the classroom.

Global Experiences That Shape Futures

International Trips

Year 9 and Above

Across Secondary, subject departments organise curriculum-linked local day trips that enhance academic learning through real-world exposure.

Our international programme is immersive, aspirational and academically purposeful.

Recent destinations have included:

Berlin – Exploring history, politics and the long-term impact of conflict on populations
New York – Business, Economics, Media and global career pathways
Iceland – Geographical phenomena, environmental science and opportunities to witness the Northern Lights
Finland – Education systems, sustainability, innovation and the Northern Lights
Japan – Culture, technology, language and global perspectives
China – Cultural and language immersion with visits to Beijing and Shanghai, the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall

These experiences are carefully aligned to subject learning while promoting independence, cultural understanding and global citizenship.

A Global Journey of Growth

Global Residential & Expedition Partnerships

Sunmarke works closely with trusted providers including Compass International, Camps International, Bear Grylls and Ecoventure to deliver meaningful and well-structured residential experiences regionally and internationally.

These expeditions combine:

Teamwork and leadership challenges
Community and service-based projects
Environmental awareness and sustainability learning
Cultural immersion and global perspectives

Students grow in empathy, maturity and responsibility through these experiences.

More Than an Award. A Life Experience.

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

Sunmarke proudly offers the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a globally recognised personal development programme that includes an adventurous journey and expedition component.

Through the Award, students:

Set and achieve personal goals

Participate in service, skills and physical activities

Complete a team expedition

Develop resilience, leadership and independence

Through DofE, students gain independence, leadership, problem-solving ability and a deep sense of self-belief.

Your Child’s Safety Our Global Vision

Safety, Care and Wellbeing

Student wellbeing and safety sit at the heart of every trip we organise. All trips follow rigorous planning and safeguarding procedures, including:

Comprehensive risk assessments
Approved travel and accommodation partners
Trained and experienced staff supervision
Clear communication with families before and during trips
Age-appropriate supervision ratios

Parents receive detailed information in advance to ensure clarity, reassurance and transparency at every stage.

The Sunmarke Adventure

Trips as Part of the Sunmarke Experience

Trips and expeditions at Sunmarke are not optional extras. They are a vital part of how we develop confident, compassionate and globally minded young people across
the whole school.

Step outside their comfort zone

Collaborate and lead

Problem-solve in real situations

Reflect on their impact on others and the environment

Above all, they discover that learning can be adventurous, inspiring and deeply rewarding — where amazing truly happens.