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Gold Head’s Award Trip to London

28 Year 10 pupils enjoyed their Gold Head's Award reward trip to London!

The pupils experienced a side of London that was historical, cultural and contemporary. Travelling to Greenwich on Sunday morning, they enjoyed a varied but delicious lunch in the market, and went on a tour of the Old Royal Naval College. The site had successively been a Tudor royal palace (a favourite of Henry VIII's), a hunting lodge, a residential home for retired Napoleonic-era sailors, a school, a college for the training of Royal Naval officers, and more recently, the site for the University of Greenwich. These details were all revealed by their expert guide, as he pointed out the architectural development and evolution of the site by Sir Christopher Wren. 

Further highlights included a visit to the Chapel and the painted gallery, unofficially described as the Sistine Chapel of Greenwich. From there, the group walked under the Thames until they eventually reached Canary Wharf to enjoy a communal meal and ice skating.

The next day, they travelled down an atmospheric and moody Thames on a Clipper boat, viewing central London's major attractions from an unparalleled viewpoint. Passing Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Shard, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral, to name just a few, they eventually made their way to the Palaces of Westminster, and were treated to an excellent tour of the Houses of Parliament. The Old Great Hall, the Houses of Commons and the Lords were all experienced firsthand, and knowledgeable tour guides explained the fascinating histories of their importance, evolution and development.

Our pupils were frequently complimented by members of the public, hotel and museum staff on their excellent manners, behaviour and engagement with all that they were experiencing. Well done to you all.

Thank you to Tessa M and Charlotte L for capturing their highlights of the trip!