Our Level 10s stepped into the fascinating world of English Literature during six unforgettable days in London. During a private tour of the British Library, students explored the literary treasures housed in this impressive building, then enjoyed a private tour of the Globe Theatre and absorbed the magic of an immersive performance of ‘The Tempest’ at the Sam Wannamaker Theatre within the Globe Theatre Complex. Here they also enjoyed a workshop on key themes and scenes from ‘The Tempest’, learning how plays are brought to life on stage.
A visit to the Churchill War Museums and the Tate Modern Art Gallery were also part of the programme. The trip also featured a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, with a visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace home and then a tour of the Shakespearean costumes at the Royal Shakespeare Company Costume Department. Students wandered the historic streets of Stratford-upon-Avon and participated in a Shakespeare workshop where they acted scenes from ‘Macbeth’ which they have studied at school.
Alongside this rich learning, there were many moments of joy and laughter, with a day at Adventure Island at Southend-on-Sea. The trip ended with a guided literary tour through Bloomsbury where students explored the streets, ideas and lives that shaped some of Britain’s most influential writers, visiting many important sites around central London: Knightsbridge, Tavistock and Red Lion Square, famous for the literary greats who walked these streets and lived in homes there, still remembered by the Blue Plaques, a touching closure to the rich experience, celebrating everything that the students had seen and heard, giving them lasting memories and a deeper love of literature.