iN the News
- St Edward's School - Hampshire
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Art Bytes
Year 10 GCSE Trip to London
Last week, a group of our Year 10 pupils travelled to London for a day exploring sites linked to their GCSE studies in Science and History. The trip offered an opportunity to step beyond the classroom and experience the past in a vivid, memorable way.
The first stop was the fascinating Old Operating Theatre Museum, the last remaining part of the original St Thomas’ Hospital. Pupils were transported back in time, making pomanders fragrant herbal mixtures once believed to ward off the “miasma” thought to cause disease.
The visit brought history and science together in a hands-on way. Pupils met the museum’s leeches and discovered how they are still used in modern medicine, while also exploring some of the more questionable and unsafe medical practices of the past. It was a powerful reminder of how far medicine has progressed.
After a well-earned picnic lunch beside The Shard, the group continued along the Victoria Embankment. Built in the late 19th century by the pioneering engineer Joseph Bazalgette, the embankment houses part of London’s revolutionary sewer system, an essential development in improving public health.
The walk led us to Bazalgette’s memorial and the historic York Watergate, now situated around 150 metres from the River Thames due to changes in the riverbank over time. Along the way, pupils connected their classroom learning to real-world locations linked to key historical figures such as William Beveridge, David Lloyd George, and Winston Churchill, all of whom worked in the nearby Houses of Parliament.
We also reflected on the legacy of Alfred Mond, our own Lord Melchet, who served as an MP and commissioned the iconic Cenotaph.
The final stretch of the day brought us to the Old War Office Building, where Churchill served as Secretary of State for War and Air between January 1919 and February 1921. Here, pupils stood on the very staircase leading to his office and imagined the weight of the decisions made within those walls, ranging from post-war demobilisation to Britain’s involvement in the Russian Civil War and the early development of RAF policy.
A special thank you goes to our dedicated photographer, Cody, who captured the day and even stepped in front of the camera for a memorable ‘afternoon tea’ moment.
Poplar Farm
A trip to Poplar Farm was an experience for our pupils, allowing them a view behind the scenes of how a pub operates. They were allowed to explore areas not usually seen by customers, including the kitchen, fridges, and storage areas for ales and beers.
This gave them a great insight into the wide range of careers, both in and out of the kitchen, and the different skills needed for each role. They took part in three hands on tasks. First, they worked in teams to set tables, carefully preparing napkins and cutlery ready for customers. Next, they stepped into the role of a bartender, creating their own mocktails by experimenting with different juice combinations, testing both their creativity and taste!
Finally, they designed their own burgers, with the exciting possibility that the best one would be featured on the pub’s menu.
Eden Film: Reflecting on the Final Journey
To bring their learning to life, E1 pupils created a powerful short film inspired by the Stations of the Cross.
The project captures Jesus’ final journey to his crucifixion, with pupils thoughtfully recreating each station through performance and visual storytelling.
Online Safety
Episode 41 - “Are You Living or Just Watching?”
This short vlog explores how social media can shape the way we think, influence our beliefs, and quietly take up more of our time than we realise. From endless scrolling on TikTok and Instagram to the spread of unrealistic lifestyles and harmful ideas, it’s time to start asking questions. Take a moment to reflect, think critically about what you see online, and consider whether it’s time to take back control and experience more of the real world.
St Edward’s School is committed to promoting a safe and responsible digital environment for all pupils and families. We actively encourage open conversations about online safety and provide guidance to help our community navigate the digital world confidently and responsibly. The information shared in this video is intended to raise awareness in making informed, safe choices online.
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