During February half-term, Year 10 and Year 11 students set off on a trip to Berlin, diving into the city's fascinating history, culture, and scientific achievements. Over four packed days, students took part in guided tours, explored museums, and visited key historical sites, making for an unforgettable experience.
Day 1: Exploring Berlin
After arriving and settling in, students set out on a guided walking tour of Berlin taking in sights such as Checkpoint Charlie and the Topography of Terror. A key stop was the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, an extremely powerful and moving site. The evening ended with a group dinner, where everyone had the chance to reflect on the day's experiences and get ready for the days ahead.
Day 2: Sachsenhausen and the Reichstag
Sunday started with a guided visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Here, students gained valuable insight into the lives of those imprisoned in Nazi Germany. After lunch, the group toured the Olympic Stadium before heading to the Reichstag, where they explored the impressive building and learned about Germany’s political landscape. The day finished with a well-deserved burger and chips.
Day 3: Museums and the TV Tower
Monday was all about discovering Berlin’s rich cultural and scientific history. The morning began with a guided tour of the DDR Museum, offering a glimpse into life in East Germany during the Cold War. A visit to the Jewish Museum followed, giving students time to explore its exhibits at their own pace. In the afternoon, students took in city views from the TV Tower, had a VR experience of Berlin’s history, and then finished the day of sights at the Body World Museum. Dinner at an Italian restaurant was a great chance to share thoughts on everything they had seen.
Day 4: Science and History Before Heading Home
On the final day, students visited the East Side Gallery, where they saw the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall covered in iconic artwork. Next up was a guided tour of the Stasi Museum, which shed light on the surveillance state in East Germany. Before heading home, there was time for one last visit—to the Science Centre Spectrum, a hands-on experience that rounded off the trip perfectly.
The Berlin trip was an amazing experience that brought history, politics, and science to life beyond the classroom. A huge thank you to the staff who made it possible: Miss Parkinson, Mrs Hashemi, Mrs Campbell, Mr Kern, and Mr McMahon. A special mention to Mrs Wood who played a key role in organising everything behind the scenes. We can’t wait for the next adventure!
