The Visual Art department arranged a school visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Britain in London, on the 12 January, for 64 of our Year 11 Textiles, Fine Art and Photography students. The aim of the visit was to give students the opportunity to start their contextual research for their Externally Set Assignment (Exam project). Students have chosen their own exam theme from a range of given themes, by the exam board AQA. They spent the time in the two museums sourcing art works that relate to their chosen theme, which they can then draw inspiration from, to help them develop their own ideas. The trip was very successful and gave students a real kick-start to their exam project. Students are now evidencing this trip in their folders/sketchbooks and are using the drawings and photos that they took. Once again, our students were exemplary on the trip.

We are delighted to be able to, once again, offer these extra-curricular enhancement activities, which give the students a much fuller and broader educational experience. We have sent out a letter to all parents of Year 11 Fine Art and Photography students with dates of exams and deadlines for both exam projects and coursework. During the exam project, which students will complete towards the end of April, we are offering after-school sessions on Mondays and Thursdays for all our KS4 students to catch up on or extend their learning, and we sincerely hope students take advantage of this offer.

Please do check out the photos below to see some of the wonderful pieces of artwork students had the chance to view during the trip.

- The Visual Art Department

After breakfast, we headed off to the Autostadt in Wolfsburg. It was a 15-minute walk which took us 25 minutes because we took the scenic route (out of the hostel, turn right, to the bottom of the road, turn round, past the hostel again, and then on to the Autostadt!) When we got there, we were given a tour of some of the highlights. Mrs Husband saw the car that Mr James is going to buy her for Christmas. It only costs around 1.6 million euros. Towards the end of the day, some of us went to the Designer Outlet shops and some of us went ice-skating. (A few students managed to get on the ice but, unfortunately, time ran out, and some students didn't get chance.... They weren't 'frosty' about it and maintained the positivity we've seen from them throughout the entire trip.) Well done kiddos. After dinner, a few students had shopping withdrawal and popped back out for more retail therapy. The rest of us hung out at the hostel and played table tennis. The weather has been -7, and we have seen increases in the layers staff and students have been wearing throughout the trip. I'm sure a few students are attired in the entire contents of their cases. 

We set off in the dark to much excitement, today was our day in Disneyland Paris. With many on the coach donning Mickey Mouse ears, the excitement was tangible.

We arrived as the park was opening, and after a brief stroll through security (happy to report no incidents!) we made it into the park, and went off in groups to enjoy the fun.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped off at a 'Hyper Market'/Mall, which has to be one of the biggest shopping centres many of us have ever been in.

A late return to the hotel, with everyone tired and ready for bed. Tomorrow, we visit our final Christmas Market in Arras before catching the ferry home!

Another early start for us today, as we fought to beat the morning rush into Paris. We beat a path through the centre of Paris to the Montparnasse Tower; the tallest skyscraper in central Paris. Riding the lift to the top in less than a minute, we took in the stunning views from the top floor. We then climbed the stairs to the roof terrace to take in the views (and pose for some photos!).

Onwards we went to the River Seine, where we boarded a boat to take in the sights from a lower perspective. A river tour from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame.

We stopped for lunch alongside the Seine, before heading over the Louvre. The students rushed through to see the Mona Lisa, and other famous works of art.

By then the afternoon was getting on, and we headed into the Christmas Market in the Louvre Gardens.

On our way back, we stopped to see one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, just in time to see the light show begin. Our coach driver, Phil, then braved the Arc de Triomphe traffic to give us a close up view of this famous Paris landmark.

Tired and hungry, we went back home to the hotel. Tomorrow, Euro Disney awaits!