By Mrs Swan (Head of Geography)

On Friday 10th October, our Year 8 students enjoyed a wonderful cross-curricular trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, combining Geography, Biology, and Art and Textiles in a day full of discovery.

Surrounded by the stunning glasshouses and diverse plant life, students explored topics from pollination to ecosystems, capturing their findings on iPads and through sketching. One highlight of the day was the Rainforest Workshop, led by Kew’s education team, where students learned about the importance of tropical rainforests, their uses and threats, and how sustainable practices can help protect these vital ecosystems. Another highlight was discovering the architectural wonder of the pagoda. 

The students engaged brilliantly throughout the day, immersing themselves in both the scientific and creative challenges set for them. Many were inspired by the beauty and calm of Kew’s surroundings, with one student reflecting, “I would just like to say thank you to the teachers who organised and went on the trip on Friday as it was amazing and I loved it.” Another commented that it was sure to be “the best trip of the year.” It was a fantastic day of learning beyond the classroom, filled with curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for the natural world.

Mrs Lugsden (Head of Art and Textiles) added: “Art students focused on photographing natural forms such as leaves, flowers and seed pods, exploring shape, pattern and texture to support their upcoming lino printing project. In Textiles, they captured images of architectural forms found in Kew’s stunning glasshouses and structures, using these to inspire future screen-printed design work. The visit was a fantastic opportunity to combine creativity with observation, and students came away with a wealth of visual resources and ideas for their projects.”

View photos from the trip here.