History; the dusty subject of dates and deaths, almost universally detested by students, irrelevant and dull. Or is it? 

On the 23rd November, a West Sussex sixth form brought to life a subject considered by many to be dead. This feat was achieved through something often overlooked, something so simple we take it for granted— a school trip. 

School trips are the highlights of the school year, and not just because some see them as a chance to goof off with their friends. The opportunity for hands-on learning provided by school trips is invaluable in creating passion in young people for the subjects they study, and it’s vital that they remain a part of school life for many years to come. 

The trip itself was a day of discovery, with a short tour and plenty of time for the students to explore the Tudor palace of Hampton Court with their classmates. One Year Twelve History student, Lucy Knight, said that she found the trip enjoyable and useful to her course in Tudor history. Of all the day’s activities, the highlight for her was ‘seeing the great hall’ and learning about it; other activities students enjoyed included visiting the kitchens, seeing the chapel’s impressive vaulted ceiling, and, of course, the age-old favourite: the gift shop. 

When asked whether she felt school trips were useful, Knight responded that ‘school trips are a good way to get out of the classroom and see new things while also learning and having fun’, a view shared by many of her peers. It is for exactly that reason that school trips are the hidden treasures of schools; they give life to subjects that may sometimes be drowned in exam questions and essays, allow students to learn and explore for themselves, and prove that enjoyable learning is not a myth; it’s a reality. 

Whilst the lessons following the trip will remain the same, the students will have something to attach them to— a wonderful memory of learning and exploring. 

A trip to Hampton Court.