This week marked an action-packed ‘Trips Week’ for students across the school, with unforgettable experiences both at home and abroad.
Upper III Outdoor Residential, Swanage
Upper III began their week with a warm welcome at their Swanage residential. Students settled into their new surroundings with a site tour, outdoor games, a delicious dinner, and the ever-popular ‘Hunt the Instructor’ game.
The following day brought high and low ropes courses, where many braved the leap of faith. Competitive spirit came alive in a lively session of tag archery, with plenty of peer encouragement on show—well done, Upper III!
Midweek highlights included a scenic beach walk complete with games and well-deserved ice creams, followed by outdoor skills sessions in fire-building, air rifle target practice and even axe throwing!
Lower V & Lower VI German trip to Berlin
Our German students have had a fantastic cultural immersion in Berlin. Lower VI started off with an exciting bike tour through the city, taking in key historical sites including the Berlin Wall.
A favourite local delicacy—Currywurst and Pommes—was on the menu, proving a big hit with the group. Meanwhile, Lower V students visited the Brandenburg Gate, indulged their sweet tooth at the Ritter Sport chocolate shop, and marvelled at the impressive Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) during their walking tour.
Day Two saw the group visit the Bundestag, followed by an insightful morning at the DDR Museum, where students learned about life in East Germany. Later, they climbed all 276 steps to the top of the cathedral—an impressive feat!
Lower VI also enjoyed a chocolate-making workshop, rounding out their trip with a deliciously creative experience.
Lower IV Outdoor Residential, Peak District
Lower IV students kicked off their residential with a burst of energy in the Peak District. Activities included caving, gorge walking, and climbing, abseiling and raft building —making for a truly exhilarating start to their adventure.
Groups took turns to camp overnight for a night, learning to put up tents, make hot chocolate and toast marshmallows around the fire. They have been working so well in teams and are having loads of fun.
Upper IV Trip to Calais
Upper IV have been enjoying an enriching and educational trip to Calais.
Their journey through history began with a visit to the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, where they explored trench warfare through interactive displays and moving exhibits.
Later, the group took on a series of challenges at a puzzle and game house—teamwork and perseverance were key! Their itinerary continued with a visit to the farmers’ market in Boulogne-sur-Mer, followed by a city-wide quiz and a trip to Europe’s largest aquarium. Students were particularly interested in the conservation work being done to protect marine life.
The cultural exploration continued in Bruges, where students enjoyed a guided tour and quiz, unearthing fascinating facts about the city’s rich history—plus a little time for shopping, of course!
“It’s been an amazing trip,” one student said. “We’re so glad we came and are loving spending time with our friends!”
Lower V & Lower VI Spanish trip to Malaga
After an early start, our Spanish students arrived in Málaga and wasted no time exploring. Highlights included a visit to the Picasso Museum, followed by immersive Spanish lessons, beach time and a walking tour through the historic city centre.
Dinner at a traditional Spanish restaurant gave students a real taste of the local culture—¡muy bien!
Lower VI students Ella and Avani reflected on their day in Granada:
“We had an amazing day walking around the city. It was so exciting to see what we’ve been learning in class come to life! The architecture at the Alhambra was stunning—definitely a highlight of the trip.”
Lower V & Lower VI French Study and Culture Visit to Bordeaux
Our Lower V and Lower VI French students have been soaking up the language and culture in Bordeaux.
The trip began with an evening of bowling, pool and a French quiz—congratulations to our Sixth Formers for claiming the win!
Over the following days, students attended language school in the mornings. They also enjoyed a day trip to the scenic town of Saint-Émilion, where they explored a striking monolithic church and the ancient catacombs beneath.
Their cultural journey continued with a visit to Bassins des Lumières, an immersive art experience set in a former submarine base—another favourite moment for many.
