On the final day, we stopped at the Louvre, where we had a wonderful guided tour and saw many beautiful artworks. Some chose to struggle against the crowd to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa, while others steered clear. After that, we hopped on the Eurostar, made our way back to London St Pancras (not without an incident with some very smelly crisps opened in our carriage) and went home. We are all very grateful to the teachers and had a marvellous time.

Lila 10M

Geography Trip to Scotland

From 8 to 12 June, 16 brave geographers from Years 10 and 12, gave up their creature comforts and headed for the Highlands of Scotland.

Travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper train from Euston, their destination was Corrour, the highest and remotest station in the UK. They had to carry their food in on their backs to a hut in an idyllic spot on the shore of Loch Ossian. Over the coming days, they climbed the mountains, learnt the history, read the literature, munched the oatcakes, and understood the transforming sustainable business model of this former hunting estate.

They left with a real "sense of place" and a new familiarity with the word "palimpsest".

I can't tell you how proud we were of the students who, without exception, seemed to rise to every challenge, every type of weather, and emerge from the bottomless bogs.

Huge thanks too to Ms Boardman and Ms Cracknell, who combine decades of experience, extraordinary professionalism, and a lightness of touch which make this trip such a pleasure.

Mr Evans

DofE Silver Award Expedition: Peak District

On the 4th of June, our Year 10 students embarked on their DofE Silver Award expedition to the Peak District. Upon arriving in Edale, the students enjoyed a brisk walk to the campsite. Despite an initial request to relocate their tents to accommodate another booking, the group managed the move efficiently, even as the weather took a turn for the damp.

The evening offered a chance for everyone to relax, and while managing a group of 45 students in the local pub was a lively experience, it was a great way to unwind after the first day. Although some students were rather excitable and eager to stay up late, a good rest was had by all.

Friday proved to be a dry and pleasant day—a welcome relief for those carrying 14kg rucksacks. Students navigated their way across various hills and valleys to reach the second campsite. 

Ms Law and I arrived earlier to set up base, and we enjoyed the scenic surroundings before the students’ arrival. As the weekend progressed, the weather became wetter, resulting in some soggy tents, but morale remained high. The students' spirits were kept up with plenty of pasta, porridge, and even some freshly made pancakes, while Ms Law and I treated ourselves to a traditional cream tea.

Camping in Castleton provided a new experience for the group. We were pleased to connect with students from Finchley Catholic School, who were interested in our shared links. We were also located near the village’s famous cement works; while the trees masked the site, the rhythmic hum of the escalators provided an unusual but effective white noise for sleep

On the final day, the group was up early and departed by 8:15 am. With the train schedule presenting a choice between an early finish or a late arrival, the students opted for the 2:30 pm train. We reached Hope station by 2:00 pm, where we said goodbye to our assessors. Despite a sprint along the platform and over the bridge to catch the train, the journey home went smoothly. After a busy trip on the train from Sheffield and a detour via Corby, we arrived back at St Pancras 3.5 hours later to be greeted by many parents.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved: our assessors, Joe, Cen, Ali, Vicky, and Kels; our helper Jim; all the students; and the parents who supported this trip. A special thanks to Ms Law, who enjoyed the experience so much that she has already signed up for next year!

Students are reminded to complete their presentation for the expedition section of the award, which will take place on the 1st of July in S5 after school. Parents are invited to attend, and the time will be confirmed later this week.

Art and Photography A Level Exhibition 2026

The A Level Art Show was a wonderfully busy and celebratory affair this year. As usual, the exhibition was well attended, with students and staff welcome throughout the day and family and friends visiting in the evening. We were proud to showcase the diverse work of this talented and ambitious group of young artists, many of whom are going on to pursue Art and Design pathways.